KEY POINTS

  • Paulo Dybala is set to join Roma on a free transfer
  • He spent 7 seasons at Juventus from 2015 to 2022
  • Dybala started off his senior career with Palermo in 2012

Argentina forward Paulo Dybala is reportedly set to join A.S. Roma as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Dybala has agreed to Roma’s three-year contract, where the former Juventus forward will earn around $6 million a year, according to a report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who has a credible record in the European transfer market.

The 28-year-old, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, is soon expected to take a private flight from Turin to Portugal, where he’ll undergo medical tests before being confirmed as Roma’s new player.

Other Serie A rivals Napoli and Inter Milan were also linked with Dybala, but Roma head coach Jose Mourinho played a key role in securing the deal as he convinced the Argentina national about his club’s project, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Dybala’s agents met Roma’s officials earlier this week before the Argentian forward accepted personal terms with the Serie A club, according to Chiesa Di Totti.

The arrival of Dybala is exciting for Roma as the player is most likely going to compliment Tammy Abrahim well by being a second creative striker and further strengthen Mourinho’s frontline.

In 2012, when Italian club Palermo signed Dybala, they broke the news by saying they had landed the ‘new’ Sergio Aguero. Dybala started his senior career at Palermo and spent three seasons with the club before moving to Juventus in the summer of 2015.

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala said he has tested positive for coronavirus but was 'perfectly fine'
Dybala has been at Juventus since the 2015-16 season. AFP / Isabella BONOTTO

Dybala played for Juventus for seven seasons, where he netted 115 goals and 48 assists in 293 appearances in all competitions. He won five straight Serie A titles with Juventus between 2015 and 2020.

Dybala, who was not a part of Lionel Messi’s Argentina that won the Copa America in 2021, won the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions with his national side earlier this year. The final match, known as the ‘Finalissima’, saw Argentina defeat Italy 3-0. Dybala scored Argentina’s final goal in the 90th minute at Wembley Stadium, London.

Mourinho, in his maiden season in charge of Roma, led the club to their first-ever European trophy. Roma defeated Dutch club Feyenoord to win the inaugural edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Roma have not won the Serie A title in over two decades, with their last one coming during the 2000-01 campaign.

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