The striker was strongly linked with a Premier League move
Palermo striker Paulo Dybala is set to leave Serie A this summer in the end of the season transfer window.
The Argentine born player looked set to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, after the Blues’ boss had reportedly lodged a £30 million bid for the goalscorer.
However, Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal were also interested in Dybala, with Arsene Wenger a keen admirer of one of Europe’s top young talents.
BUT the 21-year old has thrown a spanner in the works and a move to the Premier League for him may not happen yet. He has revealed that linking up with Argentina international Lionel Messi at Barcelona is a dream of his.
When speaking to French TV station Canal Plus, he said: “If the president, Maurizio Zamparini, says I have to leave, then I want to enjoy these last few games as a Palermo player, I want to do my best. I went to Barcelona to watch the latest Clasico. It’s a city I like a lot, and they play very nice football.”
‘When I was a child I preferred Barcelona’
He also added: “When I was a child I preferred Barcelona, because they had more Argentines. Then, of course, there’s (Lionel) Messi, who is an idol in Argentina.”
Dybala sees linking up with a fellow high profile Argentine playing in European football as a real pull factor. Despite this, he is still yet to commit his future to the Argentina international first team, as he awaits his first call up.
Although he claims it has always been a dream to represent Argentina at a major tournament, he has previously declined chances to play for the Under 17’s and the Under 20’s.
Dybala has dual citizenship, which means he would also be eligible to play for Poland or Italy.
Twitter: @kieranmaksports
