Fear not, transfer-hungry football fans…
Yes, the summer window may have long since closed, but speculation about Manchester United eyeing some silly money move for a player they probably won’t actually sign is never ever too far away. The latest example of this comes from CalcioMercato, who suggest Jose Mourinho is eyeing a move for Juventus’ Argentina international, Paulo Dybala.
According to them, United could be willing to spend over £100m to bring Dybala to Old Trafford and may even be willing to table a bid for the 24-year-old as soon as January.
Despite this, such a move still seems unlikely.
Dybala has operated largely as a number ten for Juventus, a position in which several of United’s current squad can operate. While he may be seen as an upgrade to what is currently available to Mourinho, it’s hard to see United making such a move without some players being moved on to allow it to happen.
The other obvious stumbling block is that United are likely to face plenty of competition for the former Palermo forward if Juve do decide to sell him. Real Madrid, with a good chunk of the Cristiano Ronaldo money still burning a hole in Florentino Perez’s pocket, have been linked with a move for him in the past, as have Barcelona.
One thing which may work in United’s favour is Paul Pogba’s situation. Although United have insisted the midfielder is not for sale following reports he may be open to another move away from Old Trafford, the club may decide to cash in on him in the year ahead if he continues to be unhappy in Manchester.
Pogba spent the four years between his two spells at United with Juve, where he was a teammate of Dybala’s. Although Barcelona were most frequently linked with a move for the France international over the summer, the Turin club were also said to be keen on signing him.
Juve’s reported interest in Pogba, it is claimed, could be used by United as a bargaining chip to get Dybala, with some form of swap deal also said to be a possibility.
