Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

JUVENTUS

Paulo Dybala agrees Juventus terms: report

Palermo striker Paulo Dybala is set to join Juventus on a five-year deal worth €32 million ($36.25 million) that will see the Argentinian earn €2.5m euros a season, reports said on Friday.

Published: 15 May 2015 14:15 CEST

Paulo Dybala agrees Juventus terms: report

Palermo striker Paulo Dybala is set to join Juventus on a five-year deal worth €32 million. Photo: Gabriel Buoys/AFP

Dybala has been one of the sensations of Italy's top flight this season, scoring 13 league goals in 33 appearances so far to attract interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, as well as Inter Milan and AC Milan, have been linked with the 22-year-old, but La Gazzetta dello Sport said Dybala has already agreed terms to join the recently-crowned Italian champions.

A report said the player's agent met Juve CEO Beppe Marotta and that the “deal was sealed” on Thursday after the parties discussed a number of clauses and incentives linked to an eventual transfer.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini had slapped a €40 million ($45.3 million) price tag on Dybala earlier this season, but it appears he is now ready to accept €32 million as well as a number of incentives from the Italian champions.

If the deal is confirmed, the Sicilian club could welcome several up-and-coming players owned by Juventus who are currently out on loan at smaller league clubs.

Palermo would also receive bonuses related to Dybala's performances in both Serie A and the Champions League, added the report, and could be given a percentage of any future sale of the player by the Turin giants.

The deal could be confirmed by midweek after the player's lawyer, expected to arrive from Buenos Aires on Tuesday, meets Zamparini and Marotta.

Dybala's arrival in Turin would boost an already potent attacking line featuring Argentinian Carlos Tevez, Spaniards Alvaro Morata and Fernando Llorente, and the rarely-used Italian Alessandro Matri.

Juventus, who secured their fourth consecutive league title two weeks ago, are on course for the first Italian treble since Inter Milan won the league, Cup and Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

The Bianconeri face Lazio in the Cup final in Rome on Wednesday nd take on Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6th.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Five reasons why Juventus have won their eighth straight Serie A title

Photos: AFP

Ronaldo effect

Cristiano Ronaldo was signed from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($112 million) before the start of the season, in a bid to end the Turin giants' 23-year wait for the Champions League trophy.

The 34-year-old left Real as their all-time top scorer, a record he also holds in the Champions League where he is the only player to have won five titles.

Despite their European exit to Ajax, the Portuguese superstar was a key player throughout the campaign with 19 league goals.

Both Juventus' Serie A defeats came in his absence — 2-0 to Genoa on March 17 and 2-1 to SPAL on April 13 — the latter frustrating their bid to wrap up the title with a record six games to spare.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was defended by Juve last year after being accused of rape, was slow off the mark, having to wait until their fourth game against Sassuolo before scoring a double in a 2-1 win.

“Cristiano is the future of Juventus, he has had an extraordinary season,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri after the Champions League loss.

Rising star Kean

Teenage sensation Moise Kean burst through during Ronaldo's absence through injury, scoring six goals in the last seven matches for Juventus, having played just nine this season.

The 19-year-old, who provides an alternative to Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala up front, admitted: “I learn from Cristiano Ronaldo in training, I steal his secrets.”

Born in Italy to Ivorian parents, his first league appearance this season was just four minutes away against Fiorentina on December 1, with his first goals a double in a 4-1 win over Udinese on March 3.

Controversy overshadowed his only full match for the champions when he was subjected to racist abuse against Cagliari on April 2.

The youngster hit back by scoring in Sardinia and again in the following game against SPAL.

Bonucci back

Leonardo Bonucci returned to Turin after an unhappy season at AC Milan to recreate the so-called 'BBC' defensive partnership alongside veterans Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

The absence of the trio through injury was felt when Juventus conceded six goals in two games including a 3-3 draw with Parma on February 2 — days after being eliminated from the Coppa Italia.

“Mr Bonucci and Mr Chiellini could teach lessons at Harvard University about how to be a central defender,” said Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho.

Juventus have conceded only 23 goals in 33 games, the best record in the division.

Safe hands

Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has proven to be a worthy successor to Juventus and Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon, who left for Paris Saint-Germain.

The ex-Arsenal player arrived in Turin in 2017 after falling down the pecking order at the Premier league club.

The 28-year-old got off to a stuttering start in the season opener, conceding two goals in a 3-2 win at Chievo, but has conceded only 15 goals in the 24 times he has played so far this season.

New arrival Mattia Perin, who joined from Genoa last summer, has proved less effective with eight conceded in nine games, and was between the posts for both their league defeats.

Winning ugly

Massimiliano Allegri doesn't mind winning ugly as he claimed his fifth league title in as many years with Juventus, and sixth in Serie A after leading AC Milan to their last title in 2011.

Allegri — who has now won 11 trophies with Juventus — has strenuously defended his team's often-criticised style of play, despite Juve leading the way in the Italian top flight with 67 goals scored.

“Beautiful football doesn't pay off, at the end of the day you've got to just kick it away from your goal,” the 51-year-old fumed after the draw with Parma.

“They need to realise there is no shame in hoofing the ball into the stands if needs be.”

Url copied to clipboard!