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Paulo Dybala: We profile Palermo striker linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal

Paulo Dybala: The Argentine striker is drawing rave reviews for his play with Palermo this season.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are among a host of top clubs to have been linked with Palermo’s Paulo Dybala, but who exactly is the emerging Argentine star?

We take a closer look at a striker who has already drawn comparisons with Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi.

Name: Paulo Dybala

Age: 21

Position: Striker

Club: Palermo

Nation: Argentina (uncapped)

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Dybala's route to stardom began with Instituto de Cordoba in Argentina's second division. He was thrust into the first team at the age of 17 and soon became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer, beating a record previously held by Argentine World Cup winner Mario Kempes.

His trickery, pace and instinctive finishing earned rave reviews in his homeland, and Dybala finished the season with 17 goals as Instituto narrowly missed out on promotion. The teenager featured in every one of their 38 league games, netting two hat-tricks and scoring in six consecutive games.

Dybala's breakthrough did not go unnoticed by European scouts. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan were interested, but it was Palermo who clinched a club record £9.2million deal for the youngster in the summer of 2012.

Adjusting to Italy

Image: There has been plenty of talk about a summer move for Dybala

Palermo’s outspoken president Mauricio Zamparini introduced Dybala as the “new Sergio Aguero”, but his first season in Serie A was far from spectacular. Initial complications over the transfer meant his registration was delayed, and it wasn’t until early November that he opened his account with a brace in a 2-0 win over Sampdoria.

Those goals were talked up as a turning point for Dybala, but he only added one further strike in a turbulent campaign in which the Sicilian side were relegated to Serie B. “It was tough to adapt,” Dybala told Sportweek. “The football here is much faster, more physical and tactical.”

Palermo won promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking, but Dybala’s struggles continued and he finished the season with just five goals in 30 appearances.

Zamparini’s faith was unwavering, however, and he allowed top scorers Abel Hernandez and Kyle Lafferty to leave the club that summer. It was time for Dybala to step up.

Fulfilling his potential

The new season was only seven minutes old when he began to repay Zamparini’s faith, expertly controlling a long ball on his chest and slotting a low finish past Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano at Palermo’s Renzo Balbera stadium.

Like Aguero and Messi, Dybala has a low centre of gravity which allows him to hold off larger opponents. That strike against Sampdoria also showcased his agility, composure and lethal left foot. It was a sign of things to come.

Dybala has registered 12 goals and seven assists in 27 Serie A appearances this season. Only Juventus’ Carlos Tevez has had a hand in more goals, and Dybala’s inspirational form has put Palermo 14 points clear of the drop zone.

Head coach Giuseppe Iachini has tried to keep him grounded. “Dybala must not lose his head,” he said. “He’s a good, humble young man who simply wants to learn and play football.”

But, as is often the case, Zamparini is reading from his own script. Dybala’s contract is up in 2016, and the Palermo chief is aiming to cash in on his prized asset this summer.

“Dybala is worth over €40 million, but I won’t sell him until June,” Zamparini told Radio Due in January. "He's the best striker in Serie A. Within two years, he'll be better than [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and Messi."

Paulo Dybala scores from the penalty spot
Image: Paulo Dybala scores from the penalty spot against Udinese

International dilemma

A money-spinning transfer looks inevitable, but his international future is less clear. Dybala has Italian and Polish citizenship, but has made no secret of his desire to play for Argentina. “I was born - and feel - Argentine. When I was little I dreamed of playing for the Argentina team,” he said earlier this season.

However, Argentina boss Gerardo Martino has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal. Messi, Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi are all ahead of Dybala in the pecking order.

And with Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi and Villarreal’s Luciano Vietto also vying for a call-up, Italy’s Antonio Conte will hope the competition for places could persuade Dybala to switch allegiances.

What next?

As Zamparini regularly points out, Dybala’s suitors include some of Europe’s top clubs. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been linked, while Juventus and PSG are also thought to be keen.

Dybala fuelled speculation recently when he declared he would “swim” to Barcelona to play alongside Messi, while Zamparini claims he has already received offers from “half of the teams in Europe”.

This transfer saga could run long into the summer, but regardless of where Dybala ends up, Palermo look certain to make a handsome profit on a player who is beginning to fulfil his potential.

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