Manchester United’s search for a world-class striker at a bargain price this month could lead them to consider AS Roma’s World Cup winner Paulo Dybala.
United have been strongly linked with the player on many occasions in the past and were snubbed by him in 2019 while at Juventus when a swap deal involving him and Romelu Lukaku was discussed.
The now 29-year-old finally left Juve on a free transfer last summer and despite United linking up with him again, he ended up joining Roma.
But according to Corriere dello Sport, there is an unusually low buyout clause in his contract, especially for non-Italian teams, which could see him snapped up for just €12m (£10.5m) after just one year in the league. italian capital.
“Joya’s contract is… 4 million per season plus 2 bonuses, not all of them simple… at the end of the first year, if no improvements have been made previously, an exit clause worth 12 million for the foreigner and 20 for Italy releases the player.
“If the clause is canceled in the meantime, the bonuses become part of the salary, which thus amounts to 6 net.”
Thus, Roma would have to increase Dybala’s salary to 6 million euros or risk losing him at the end of the season for 12 million euros.
The termination clause amounts to 20 million euros for the rivals of Serie A.
Although that clause doesn’t come into effect until June, Roma could be forced to consider a sale above that amount to avoid a sticky situation five months from now.
Given United’s situation, something around the £15m mark for a proven world-class striker could represent a shrewd deal, if a bit risky.
However, Dybala’s injury history would be a big concern.
He had six separate injuries last season and two this season, the second of which meant he missed most of the World Cup.
However, Erik ten Hag could consider that sharing the workload with Anthony Martial would decrease the probability of the Argentine suffering regular injuries, especially those related to muscle fatigue, which is a weakness.
Dybala also generally operates as a second striker rather than a centre-forward, although he has played in the top 137 times in his career, scoring a respectable 47 goals and providing 26 assists from that position.
Still under 30, Dybala has a few years left in the tank, unlike recent additions like Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
Former United manager Jose Mourinho will nervously watch the window progress and hope he can retain his star, who has a real market value of €30m according to transfermarkt.com.
