Manchester United suffer transfer blow as Juventus ace Paulo Dybala has chosen to join Inter Milan for free in the summer

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Paulo Dybala has decided on a move to Inter Milan in the upcoming transfer window when his contract with Juventus expires in the summer, providing a transfer blow to Manchester United.

Dybala and Juve have not been able to come to an agreement regarding a new deal, which means that they stand to lose him for free at the end of the season. It seems like the curtains are likely to come down on the Argentine’s seven-year career in Turin, having joined from Palermo.

Into the final few months of his existing contract with the Bianconeri, the player is free to speak to foreign clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement. That would have opened the door for United to steal the striker without having to pay a penny for him, but it seems that they missed their chance.

Not just the Red Devils, but Inter’s involvement has also provided a transfer blow to Tottenham Hotspur, who were keen on the Argentine’s signature. However, Dybala’s preference to remain in Italy and not move abroad has scuppered any hopes of landing him in the near future.

One of Inter’s highest earners

This personal preference of the 28-year-old will see him move to rivals Inter in the summer as a free agent, after club chief Beppe Marotta used his good relationship with the player to convince him of a move. Marotta previously signed Dybala for Juventus, and is said to have spoken with the forward about being a central part of the Nerazzurri.

Now, the Argentina international is set to sign on the dotted line on a four-year deal worth £5m per season. This would see Dybala become the joint-highest earner at the club, alongside Lautaro Martinez and Marcelo Brozovic. To balance their books and reduce their wage bill, the defending Serie A holders are prepared to sell Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, and Matias Vecino.

With the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic and the rise of Alvaro Morata in Turin, Dybala has seen his importance and value in the squad diminish. Once the poster boy of Juventus, he has been shelved for newer and fresher attackers.

Although he is still a regular for the Old Lady, he is no longer the frontman for the side and has had to accommodate others in the squad – rather than it happen vice-versa. It may perhaps be why the player no longer wanted to remain with Juve, and did not agree terms with the club regarding a new contract.

Inter seem to now have bagged a steal by signing Dybala for free. Although he has a history of being injury-prone, the Italian giants have received ‘assurances‘ about his physical condition and are confident of pulling off a deal soon.

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United and Spurs will now have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements in the summer, with Dybala seemingly out of reach. It remains to be seen who the Red Devils eventually end up with as a new forward – if at all they do.

With Mason Greenwood’s suspension, Marcus Rashford’s lack of form, and Anthony Martial’s uncertainty at Old Trafford after a loan move to Sevilla, it would be wise to invest in a quality forward. Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are also on the wrong side of 30 and cannot keep going on forever. In such a situation, signing a forward almost seems like a necessity under Erik ten Hag.