Manchester United have opened the bidding for Juventus playmaker Paulo Dybala by offering £70million plus midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. But Juventus has reportedly told United that it will take at least £140m to sign the 24-year-old Argentina international and that they are not that interested in a deal that involves Mkhitaryan.
Jose Mourinho is desperate to add flair to his side and has identified Argentina international Dybala as the ‘magician’ who can add extra creativity to his attack.
Dybala has lit up Serie A this term, scoring 15 goals in 27 appearances for the Italian champions in all competitions. Juventus want to keep hold of the forward but Dybala is midway through his third season in Turin and wants a new challenge next season.
Dybala joined Juventus from Palermo for £30m in 2015 and played alongside Paul Pogba for one season before the Frenchman left for United in Jose Mourinho’s first summer at Old Trafford.
“Pogba’s departure was a tough hit for me,” Dybala told France Football.
“He is a friend of mine, we were on very good terms on and off the pitch.”
In addition to the Pogba connection, United hired head scout Javier Ribalta from Juventus in the summer and they believe that this combination will give them the inside track in landing Dybala.
This is not a deal that will get done in January. More likely, United are laying the groundwork now so that they can wrap up a deal quickly before the World Cup where he is expected to challenge for a place in the Argentina squad.