Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is allowing the information to flow on the impending transfer of 21-year-old Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala, and he has high praise for sure.
Zamparini says four teams have already submitted bids for Dybala, including Arsenal and Juventus. The quote sounds very much like Zamparini is looking to use the media to pit teams against each other in a bidding war, but it’s still interesting information.
“I’ve already received four offers. Two were from Italian clubs, and two were from abroad, and they include Arsenal and Juventus,” Zamparini told French cable channel Canal Plus.
The Palermo executive not surprisingly had a strong prediction about his for-sale asset, comparing him to other Argentinian players, one in particular. “Dybala is not Sergio Aguero but the new (Lionel) Messi. He’s not an out-and-out striker, but operates in every area of the field, like Messi.
“Will he stay? No, because the player and his agent aspire to a big club, and they’re right to do so. I’ve already received at least four offers.”
The face that Zamparini says he will sell for sure somewhat waters down his comments, clearly looking to get other teams into the mix as well as hoping to scare those already involved into upping their bids.
Dybala came to Italy from his hometown Argentinian club Instituto in the summer of 2012 at the age of 18 for nearly $13 million. He’s made 89 total appearances for Palermo, scoring 21 goals and assisting 16 others - certainly not Messi-like numbers but the promise is there, especially this year as he’s broken out with 13 goals and 10 assists in 30 league appearances. He was in fantastic form in late 2014, scoring in five straight league games through November and into December and leading Palermo to a nine-match unbeaten run, but a muscle injury in early January has brought his goalscoring to a halt despite keeping him sidelined for just one match.
