It’s always a double edged sword when a player is linked with a mega-move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
On one hand it means he is doing well, probably providing end product and entertainment. But it can also be a nuisance for his present employers and fans.
The call of La Liga has distracted plenty of players.
Paulo Dybala has been linked with a mega-move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona
Dybala (right) has been compared to Lionel Messi (left) as the pair play together for Argentina
Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has supposedly been a target of the Blancos and the Catalan club for over a year.
Manchester United have also shown interest in the forward as a move seems on the cards.
The Italian champions face Barca tonight in the Champions League, and the Argentine’s future is back in the headlines.
He claims to be happy in the famous black and white shirt. And it isn’t any old jersey that the recently turned 24-year-old wears.
He was given the Number 10 in the summer. The sacred garment that was once graced by Bianconeri legends Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero.
More recently Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba did the shirt proud too.
It fits Dybala like a glove. He is everything that you associate with a true Number 10.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is also interested in signing the attacker
The Juventus star (right) has struggled this season but is preparing to face Barca Wednesday
The nimble ace can dribble at high-speed, is a dead-ball specialist and scorer of spectacular goals. He adds invention and spark to the Juventus attack.
Still wearing the number 21 last season, his standout moment was his two goals in the quarter-final at home to Barcelona.
But Dybala, nicknamed the Jewell, was attentive to the needs and requirements of his international teammate Gonzalo Higuain. Former Napoli and Real striker Higuain was the focal point of the attack.
But perhaps boosted by confidence the club and coach Massimiliano Allegri have shown in him, Dybala appears more assertive and is his own man this campaign.
The striker (right) has got seven away goals in the league already this season
A £23million signing from Palermo in 2015, he looks ready to embrace the increased responsibility and pressure of being the team’s creative fulcrum.
The one criticism often levelled at the forward was his perceived lack of impact in away matches, particularly in Europe.
Domestically he has improved his contribution on the road this campaign, with seven away goals in the league already. Last year he only scored twice outside Turin in the championship.
The statistics aren’t so impressive in Europe where he has no goals or assists from four Champions League outings so far.
But it’s worth remembering that he is still relatively young, many players have taken time to shine in Europe’s top club competition.
However, Dybala has struggled in the Champions League and has no goals or assists
Massimo Callegari is commentating on the Juventus against Barcelona clash for Italy’s Champions League broadcaster Mediaset.
He says: ‘Paulo is the best player in Serie A, if you consider his age and margins for improvement.
‘He needs to be more consistent in games, but also across the season. But I think he is still the star of our league.’
But can he come close to Lionel Messi’s achievements?
Callegari says: ‘Dybala is very similar to Messi, the way he dribbles and how he likes to cut in from the right and shoot with his left foot.
‘I don’t think they can play together in the World Cup. They like to operate in the same areas. But this isn’t a problem.
‘It means Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has the chance to rest Messi and play Dybala.’
Pundit Massimo Callegari says the striker is similar to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi
A stellar showing from the Juve trequartista against his compatriot and friend Messi’s Barcelona will increase rumours of a move to La Liga.
And history has shown us, particularly when it comes to Juve, even superstars have their price.
The Turin club sold Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid and Filippo Inzaghi to AC Milan in 2001, and bought Pavel Nedved, Gianluigi Buffon, Marcelo Salas and Lilian Thuram with the profits.
They allowed Paul Pogba to go in 2016 because Manchester United offered an incredible £89m. They know how to conduct business.
The man himself has hinted at a potential move away from Juventus at some point
The man himself told France Football: ‘I can’t promise I’ll be at Juventus for life, I can’t say this definitely isn’t my last season here, given that it doesn’t depend on me.’
Juve’s recruitment of Federico Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa this summer show that they are stocking up their attack in the eventuality of Dybala’s departure.
But that’s in the future. What counts is the immediate challenge. Last time Barcelona came to Turin, Dybala cut them down to size.
Allegri and Juve fans would love their Jewell to sparkle once more, and put Messi in the shade.