Three Old Lady players Fabio Paratici could lure to Tottenham
By Gary Pearson
3. Paulo Dybala
Spurs’ eyes have been fixated on Paulo Dybala for a few years. Unable, after numerous full-fledged advances, to get Dybala to sign on the dotted line, Tottenham gave up hope on landing one of their most coveted targets in recent years.
Paratici has immediately revived the club’s aspirations of luring Dybala away from the Old Lady. Whether Tottenham have enough clout to convince Dybala to uproot his life and sign for the north London club is at best undetermined, but Paratici definitely has the Argentine playmaker’s ear. The 27-year-old will hear what Paratici, the man who brought Dybala to Juventus in the first place, has to say about his Tottenham project.
Dybala is exactly the creative prototype Spurs are looking for. While his preferred positions are up front or on the right wing, Dybala could easily shift into the No. 10 role. He is by no means a suitable like-for-like Harry Kane, if he signs for Manchester City, replacement. But the diminutive attack-minded player certainly offers an offensive threat Spurs could utilize.
It’s easy to look at his paltry 2020-2021 four-goal contribution and dismiss his credence as a goalscorer. But Dybala, given the right opportunity, can put the ball in the net. He scored 11 goals in his previous campaign while letting loose for 22 in the 2017-2018 campaign. More known now for his playmaking ability, Dybala would be the perfect complement, in a supporting role, to Kane. If Kane leaves, Dybala might be asked to ramp up his goals’ contribution.
Regardless, he’s an asset Paratici has every intention of pursuing. His market value, via Transfermarkt, is currently at about £40 million. That’s great value for a player of his undeniable skillset, whose still encouragingly in the midst of his prime.