Roma and Paulo Dybala are set for contract extension talks as Jose Mourinho bids to make the diminutive forward central to his project.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a €12 million release clause in Dybala’s current deal, which runs out in 2025, expires in a few days.
Chelsea and Inter Milan have set their sights on the former Juventus ace, with the former’s boss Mauricio Pochettino identifying the 29-year-old among his prime attacking targets.
Inter have also rekindled interest in the Argentine star after their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku hit a brick wall, having tried to lure the Roma headline performer last summer.
However, aware of the possibility of losing the left-footed striker, Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto plans to bring Dybala to the negotiation table in the coming days.
On Mourinho’s insistence, the Giallorossi will try to remove a release clause from a potential new contract, with the Portuguese manager looking to put his talisman at the heart of his long-term project.
Dybala remains one of the club’s highest-paid players, but the Italians are willing to increase his salary and reach a €6m threshold, which would make him one of Serie A’s top earners.
Mourinho reaped the benefits from the Argentine’s arrival on a free transfer last summer during a heartbreaking 2022/23 season.
Dybala has tallied 18 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances for Roma, including the opener in the Europa League final against Sevilla that they lost on penalties.
Keeping hold of a player of his stature is a message of intent, but it’s also a necessity now striker Tammy Abraham faces an extended spell in the treatment room.
Roma’s effort to fill the void has yet to bear any fruit.
West Ham United’s unwillingness to budge on Gianluca Scamacca’s valuation makes it almost impossible for the 24-year-old striker to return to the Stadio Olimpico.
Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata isn’t any closer to joining Mourinho’s squad, especially with Inter and Juventus threatening to hijack Roma’s’ bid to sign the Spaniard.
