Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala.
The Blues’ squad overhaul is up and running after a forgettable 2022/23 campaign, with Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Edouard Mendy and Mateo Kovacic all parting ways with the club. After the arrival of attackers Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, Mauricio Pochettino wants to add another forward to his ranks before the new season commences.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has personally asked co-owner Todd Boehly to sign Paulo Dybala after learning about his cheap €12m release clause. This clause is valid for clubs outside of Italy, but AS Roma hold the power to reject any approach for it.
Dybala, 29, became a key player for Jose Mourinho’s Roma after arriving from Juventus last summer, helping them reach the Europa League final, which Sevilla won on penalties. The 29-year-old, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, produced 12 goals and six assists in 25 Serie A appearances last term, with the player showing signs of revival that once made him the next big thing in football at Juventus.
Amidst interest from Chelsea, Roma will soon meet with the Argentinean international’s entourage to discuss future plans as he continues to be a vital cog in Mourinho’s team, the report adds.
Paulo Dybala to Chelsea—Should the Blues make a move?
Chelsea struggled to score goals last season regardless of possessing so many attacking talents in the squad, managing only 40 goals in 38 games. Kai Havertz was used as a false 9 by three different managers last term but he managed just seven goals in 29 games in that role and has since joined Arsenal. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku have failed to impress during their time at Stamford Bridge.
Upon arriving at the club, Mauricio Pochettino quickly signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, while a deal with RB Leipzig for the transfer of Christopher Nkunku was agreed last year itself. The new Chelsea, however, still thinks he must add another forward to his ranks to replace Havertz and Mount’s attacking threat.
Paulo Dybala, in that regard, has emerged as an option for the Blues, particularly with his modest release clause grabbing Pochettino’s eyeballs. The 29-year-old registered 18 goals and eight assists in 38 games across all competitions in an excellent campaign for Roma, demonstrating he still has a lot left in his tank after a disappointing last few seasons in Serie A.
Highly versatile, the Argentinean can operate as an attacking midfielder, false 9 or out wide, and has technical quality on the ball and vision to carve open tight defences that could make him a fantastic fit at Chelsea. Dybala could inject guile, freshness, dynamism, and more importantly goals into the Chelsea attack, while potentially forming formidable partnerships with players such as Jackson, Nkunku and Mudryk.
However, with Dybala’s £10m release clause set to expire at the end of July, Chelsea need to be quick if they are to secure his signature. The chance to move to the Premier League and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is likely to be hugely tempting for the World Cup winner.