Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino revealed he was ‘on the verge of signing Paulo Dybala’ during his time with Atalanta.
The Friuli face the Old Lady in the opening game tonight and Dybala is expected to start up front in a trident with Federico Chiesa and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Marino, who arrived at Udinese in June 2019, spoke about the Argentine in an interview with Tuttosport and revealed he was only formalities away from closing a deal with the former Palermo striker during his time with the Orobici.
Dybala joined Palermo from Instituto AC in July 2012 and eventually ended up at Juventus for a reported €40m in July 2015, but Marino explained it could have been a different story for La Joya.
“In my time at Atalanta, I was on the verge of signing Dybala,” he told Tuttosport. “Then the agents changed, the price went up for the stars and Palermo got La Joya.
“I have always had a soft spot for Paulo, and I’m sure that this will be his year. But I hope that his year will start from the second round.”
Marino the praised Federico Chiesa, said youngster Kaio Jorge has ‘great qualities’ and believes Ronaldo will stay at the Allianz Stadium.
“If I could, I would take Chiesa, but I can’t,” Marino said. “Kaio Jorge is a striker with great qualities. Juventus have made a good signing.
“Cristiano Ronaldo? I think he will stay with Juve this year”.