BARCELONA want Paulo Dybala to replace Lionel Messi THIS summer if they fail to persuade the frustrated legend to stay, reports in Italy claim.
Messi’s future has split the Barca board. with some officials reportedly ready to sell the 33-year-old to help fund a squad revamp.
Barcelona are monitoring Juventus striker Paulo Dybala as the future of their greatest ever player, Lionel Messi, is still up in the airCredit: Alamy Live News
One-club superstar Lionel Messi is said to be closer than he has ever been to leaving Barcelona, especially after Bayern beat them 8-2Credit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Fellow Argentina frontman Dybala was strongly linked with Manchester United and Tottenham last summer, with a possible move to Old Trafford or neighbours City also mentioned in the current transfer window.
The 26-year-old is reportedly demanding Juve almost double his weekly pay to £260,000 – rivalling Cristiano Ronaldo, Matthijs de Ligt and Gonzalo Higuain.
And Barcelona are said to have made Dybala their No1 target if Messi’s unhappiness ends his 17-year stint at the Nou Camp – with PSG and Manchester City tipped to be his main suitors.
The one-club icon broke off from his holiday for frank talks with new Barca boss Ronald Koeman last week.
Radio station RAC1 then reported Messi as telling the Dutchman he was “more outside the club than inside”.
And it has since been suggested the all-time great attacker was even more annoyed afterwards when such details about the private conversation went public.
Fellow 30-something superstars like Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets are among other Barca stalwarts facing summer exits following ther 8-2 Champions League quarter-final humbling by Bayern Munich.
And ESPN claim Nou Camp chiefs are “relaxed” about Messi’s future, despite his contract having just one year left.
But unless Dybala’s contract talks falter, he would be difficult to recruit as he confirmed himself as Ronaldo’s leading strike-partner last term with 17 goals and eight assists from 37 starts.
Messi set for sensational Neymar reunion at PSG as Champions League finalists enter transfer battle with Juventus and Inter
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
