Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini says Paulo Dybala is ‘the new Messi’ and reveals offers from Juventus and Arsenal.
The 21-year-old is certain to be sold at the end of the season, with the Bianconeri believed to be in pole position for his signature, though there is competition from abroad.
“Dybala is not [Sergio Aguero] but the new [Lionel] Messi,” Zamparini told Canal Plus.
“He’s not an out-and-out striker, but operates in every area of the field, like Messi.
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini says Paulo Dybala is ‘the new Messi’ and reveals offers from Juventus and Arsenal.
The 21-year-old is certain to be sold at the end of the season, with the Bianconeri believed to be in pole position for his signature, though there is competition from abroad.
“Dybala is not [Sergio Aguero] but the new [Lionel] Messi,” Zamparini told Canal Plus.
“He’s not an out-and-out striker, but operates in every area of the field, like Messi.
“Will he stay? No, because the player and his agent aspire to a big club, and they’re right to do so. I’ve already received at least four offers.
“Two were from Italian clubs, and two were from abroad, and they include Arsenal and Juventus.”
Palermo have a history of recruiting South American strikers, with Argentinian Dybala just the latest in a series of purchases from that continent.
“History shows the best strikers are South American, especially Argentinians. I don’t know why, maybe they still play on the street at children.
“I was offered [Carlos] Tevez, but I wasn’t able to get him. Then there was Aguero for $15m, and I said ‘ok’, but Atletico [Madrid] came in with $20m.
“We had [Javier] Pastore – [Edinson] Cavani – [Abel] Hernandez with [Fabrizio] Miccoli in reserve, I’d say that was a pretty good attack.
“However, I think that the partnership formed by [Franco] Vazquez and Dybala is even better, in terms of their level of understanding.”