Paulo Dybala: How Juventus star has gone from untouchable to legitimate Premier League target

With a short backlift and stabbing technique as he pulled the trigger, sending the ball arrowing into the top right corner to give Juventus the lead, Paulo Dybala did his best impression of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Old Lady, who would go on to win 3-0 over Frosinone on Friday night, might consider the pair their most valuable players, certainly their most dangerous attacking weapons, who they hope will combine to finally deliver the Champions League.

Thrown together awkwardly, with hope they can be functional for the time being, to avoid any drama, which previously simmered as Massimiliano Allegri removed ‘La Joya’ from the starting line-up in the infancy of Ronaldo’s time in Turin.

Despite a brief period outside the limelight, Dybala’s stock remains high, making the speculation surrounding a summer departure somewhat implausible, though the slightest of hesitation from Juventus in response to any enquiries will generate ethusiasm from around Europe, making him perhaps the finest talent available on the market come June.

Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked to the former Palermo star, though Pavel Nedved, the Bianconeri’s vice chairman, passing comment: ”I confirm (sporting director Fabio) Paratici’s words, Dybala is our future. He is a very important player for us.”

End of story? Well, perhaps, if Allegri is able to integrate Dybala and Ronaldo successfully in the coming weeks, but the focus on next week’s first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash vs Atletico Madrid has intensified: Will Allegri be comfortable including Dybala at the Wanda Metropolitano? The stakes are high, given the unfortunate draw against maybe the most similar opponent in the competition.

Then there is the compelling transfer strategy devised by Paratici and co., with the first piece of the puzzle already confirmed with the arrival of Aaron Ramsey on a free from Arsenal.The Welsh midfielder’s arrival demonstrates an acknowledgement from the club to address what was once their strongest department: midfield. And while Juve remain a formidable side, their midfield is now clearly inferior to those previously that included Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.

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To allow Ramsey to flourish, and the intent is clearly there given the lavish outlay on wages, Allegri will remain loyal to a three-man midfield, which complicates the prospect of Dybala to shine given the role of Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic, Juan Cuadrado or somebody similar required to balance the side.

Another layer to this developing story is the soap opera developing at Inter with Mauro Icardi and his wife, Wanda, failing to find common ground in contract negotiations. Former Juve chief Beppe Marotta, now at Inter, took the excecutive decision to pour fuel on the fire by stripping the Argentine of his captaincy, seemingly preventing any chance of the parties mending their relationship.

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Paratici has already confirmed interest in Icardi before plumping for Ronaldo last summer, but returning for the No 9 this summer, who would be a better fit to spearhead the Juventus attack and thus allow Ronaldo to return to his preferred role off the left, only increases the likelihood of a Dybala exit.

The last few years have proven Juventus to be amongst the most shrewd in the market and Ronaldo reaching the twilight of his career makes a Dybala exit risky, but the rare dynamics to this team, on the brink of achieving what they covet most, may force what was previously unthinkable.