Chelsea considering activating release clause for Paul Dybala

AS Roma’s Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals second leg football match between AS Rome and Feyenoord Rotterdam on April 20, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea considering activating release clause for Paulo Dybala

Chelsea are eyeing up a move for Roma midfielder Paulo Dybala, reports Italian publication Corriere dello Sport.

Dybala has spent the last 11 years of his career in Italy, first arriving at Palermo as a teenager. His performances for I Rosanero were enough to earn him a €40 million move to Juventus in 2015.

It was in Turin where he has enjoyed the best years of his career. The Argentine spent seven years with La Vecchia Signora, scoring 115 goals in all competitions, winning nine major domestic trophies, reaching one Champions League final, and being named Serie A MVP once.

Last summer, he transferred to Roma upon the expiry of his contract. The 29-year-old has continued to impress in the capital, netting 18 and assisting seven in 38 appearances.

Meanwhile, he has also enjoyed success on the international stage. He has earned 38 caps for Argentina, including two outings in their triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign – he was one of four players to convert his penalty in the shootout against France in the final.

It has been reported that Dybala’s contract has a relatively low release clause. It is believed that any Serie A club could snap him up for €20m, while non-Italian sides could potentially snag a deal for €12m.

TOPSHOT – AS Roma’s Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League final football match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on May 31, 2023. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport writes that Chelsea are tempted by the release clause, and are considering a swoop for the playmaker.

The Blues prepare for the new season off the back of one of their worst campaigns in decades. They ended last term without a trophy, and finished in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996.

It’s already been a very busy summer at Stamford Bridge. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have arrived from RB Leipzig and Villarreal respectively, while Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have left.

The loan spells of Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria have come to an end, while the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Cesar Azpilicueta are also expected to depart.

This could leave new manager Mauricio Pochettino light on options, especially in attacking midfield. Should an agreement for Dybala be reached, he would likely become an instant starter.

Pochettino will begin his reign at Chelsea with a home clash against Liverpool. This is followed by a London derby away to West Ham United.