Juventus CEO reveals Dusan Vlahovic’s January arrival ‘affected’ Paulo Dybala extension talks

Paulo Dybala is ‘no longer at the centre of Juventus’ project’ following the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic and will now be allowed to leave for nothing in the summer, reveals the club’s CEO Maurizio Arrivabene.

Dybala’s current deal in Turin runs out at the end of the season and he was in talks with the club over a new long term deal.

But Vlahovic’s £62million move from Fiorentina in January will bring the curtain down on Dybala seven-year stay at the club, with Juventus deciding against offering the Argentine a new deal.

Paulo Dybala (right) is ‘no longer at the centre of Juve’s project’ following Dusan Vlahvoic’s (left) arrival in January, says the club’s CEO

Arrivabene has revealed that Juventus will now let the 28-year-old’s contract expire, which will see him leave on a free in the summer.

He told reporters: ‘It was a friendly, clear and respectful meeting. We had a very sincere approach.

‘With the arrival of Vlahovic, Paulo was no longer at the centre of the project and we made this decision.

‘The arrival of Dusan changed the position. The technical structure of the team and the Juventus project has undergone some changes.

Juve CEO Maurizio Arrivabene (right) says Vlahovic’s changed their stance of keeping Dybala

‘Part of these changes concern Dybala’s contract, which has not been renewed.’

Juventus had previously offered the Argentine a contract in October and were looking to reduce his salary before deciding not to renew the deal.

‘It would not have been easy for Juventus to make a lower offer,’ he said.

‘Paulo spent seven years of his career with us, an offer of that kind would not have shown the respect that there is towards him. No one has ever questioned Dybala’s technical prowess.

‘The parameters in October were different. There were considerations to be made on attendance, on the length of the contract and others of an economic nature.

Dybala had been in talks with the club over a new contract but will now be let go in the summer

‘It is important to underline that the management does not take decisions against Juventus, but in favor of the club.’

A host of of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, have all previously been linked with the player.  

Following Sunday’s 2-0 win over Salernitana, a game in which Dybala got on the scoresheet, Massimiliano Allegri was asked about the forward’s future. 

The Juventus boss told DAZN: ‘The rapport with Paulo and all the players is good. There are some exchanges of opinion, I am always rather direct, but I am like this for the good of the players, who know they have my faith and admiration.

‘I don’t know if he will be a Juventus player or not, that is a matter for the club. We often talk with the club, it’s not just Paulo whose contract is running down, but also Bernardeschi, De Sciglio, Perin and Cuadrado.

A number of Premier League club are interested in signing the 28-year-old this summer

‘My job is to do well in these final weeks of the season. I can evaluate players, but when it comes to contracts, what the players want, these are other elements.’

Dybala has been in fine form this season, with 13 goals and six assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. 

He joined Juventus from Palermo in 2015 and has since played 283 times, netting an impressive 113 goals. He has also won five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies during his stay in Turin.