Newcastle United have now landed a boost amid their interest in the transfer of Roma star Paulo Dybala. Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is now reluctant to target his signature.
That is according to CalcioMercatoWeb, which reports Simeone is hesitant to chase Dybala as he is too similar to Antoine Griezmann. The Colchoneros boss is interested in signing the 29-year-old in the summer for a different role to his Frenchman but feels they are too alike.
Simeone would prefer to avoid having two players so similar competing in the same side at the Metropolitano. He fears it could cause friction amongst his La Liga squad. But it would also be a waste of their talents to leave either of Dybala or Griezmann sitting on the bench.
So strong is Simeone’s reluctance to cause division amongst the Atletico Madrid ranks, the Argentine may pull the plug on targeting Dybala’s transfer. His compatriots’ form in Serie A this season had otherwise convinced the Metropolitano boss to target taking him to Spain.
Dybala has offered Roma 12 goals and seven assists over 24 games in all competitions this season so far. He only joined the Giallorossi last July as a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired. Yet a release clause in his terms has caught the attention of rival teams.
Simeone’s stance will boost Newcastle’s hopes of Dybala’s transfer from Roma
Newcastle and Manchester United are among the teams eying Dybala in view of triggering his release clause for a transfer from Roma. That is according to Calciomercato, which adds the playmaker can join Serie A sides for €20m (£18m) or leave Italy for just €12m (£10.5m).
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Dybala’s contract also features an automatic renewal clause which will remove the release clause. But he can veto the extension, which would increase his salary from €4.5m-a-year (£77k-a/w) to €6m-a/y (£102k-a/w). The maestro has the last say on renewing his contract.
Reports by Calciomercato have also noted that Roma are concerned Dybala might leave in the summer transfer window. The Giallorossi fear he will target a move away and it is likely he will consider his future if Jose Mourinho leaves. He has hit top form under the manager.
Dybala will consider any offers his agent receives for a transfer at the end of the season, as well. He will prioritise the project that any team puts forward when studying the proposals to leave the Stadio Olimpico. Despite the 36-cap playmaker’s contract lasting until June 2025.
So, Newcastle might try to tempt Dybala to accept a transfer from Roma with their project under Eddie Howe. Simeone’s reluctance to create conflict between Griezmann and a star Roberto Carlos deems ‘world-class’ should also feel like a boost in their hopes on Tyneside.
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