Argentine forward Paulo Dybala is set to leave Allianz Stadium for greener pastures at the end of the season as a free agent after failed negotiations took place earlier on Monday between the player’s entourage – his agent Jorge Antun – and the Juventus management led by CEO Maurizio Arrivabene.
Both parties had initially reached a verbal agreement back in October last year regarding the contract agreement that was due to take place around January or February.
However, after months of stalling contract negotiations, only a disagreement could be reached as a result of talks. The Bianconeri reportedly offered a base salary lower than what the diminutive Argentine currently earns in the club’s ranks – proposing €6m net per annum in wages, that could have easily risen to €8-10m overall including add-ons.
#Dybala: è terminato l’incontro tra i dirigenti della #Juventus e Jorge #Antun ⚠️??@Goalitalia pic.twitter.com/0MjpidPXS4
— Romeo Agresti (@romeoagresti) March 21, 2022
However, rather the numbers in play, it is Dybala’s recent lack of game time due to injuries and Juventus’ new-look going forward with the signing of Dusan Vlahovic that has changed the club’s future plans, according to Arrivabene.
In a recent interview, he said: “With the arrival of Vlahovic in January the footballing structure at the club has changed. Juventus’ project has changed and part of this change included Dybala’s contract which today was not renewed. It would have been easy for Juventus to make a much-reduced offer but it would have been disrespectful to Paulo.” (via France24)
The chief executive then made it clear that it was Dybala’s inconsistent performances due to injuries that led to the decision, rather than his quality as a player.
“Paulo is no longer at the centre of the Juventus project, that’s why we preferred to make this decision. No-one has ever questioned his quality but there were considerations to be made over his appearance numbers and length of his contract,” concluded Arrivabene.
La Joya has been an immense hit in La Vecchia Signora colors, winning every domestic title there is to win in Italy. His future will now depend on interested clubs making a move, with Inter, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur ready to pounce on the Argentine’s services.