Paulo Dybala continues his career at AS Roma, the Italian club officially announced on Wednesday. The 28-year-old attacker, who left Juventus with a transfer-free status this summer, has signed a three-year contract in Rome. Dybala will receive a salary of up to six million euros per year at his new club. Despite the fact that the offer concerns a considerably lower amount than Dybala initially desired, Roma and especially coach José Mourinho managed to convince him.
“The days before I signed my contract were full of emotions,” Dybala acknowledges during the presentation in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday. “The speed and determination that Roma showed has really made a difference for me. I’m on an upward spiral at a club, with a strong foundation for the future. And it’s a privilege to work with this trainer. opponent, I have always appreciated the atmosphere that the Roma fans brought. I can’t wait to pay tribute to them in this shirt,” said the ambitious Dybala.
La foto che stavate aspettando pic.twitter.com/lYYMEODs3m
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 20, 2022
“Paulo’s decision to embark on this project is a testament to the club’s credibility and a result of the hard work we are doing together to help Roma move forward,” said general manager Tiago Pinto. “Paulo is a world famous player who has won major trophies and gained worldwide fame as a result. He will take that class to Roma and I am sure that with him in the squad we will be even stronger and more competitive.” Dybala will be playing with number 21. The recently recruited Nemanja Matic had already chosen that number, but the midfielder is now going for the shirt with number 8.
Dybala, who attended Roma’s friendly match against Sporting Portugal (3-2 defeat) in Portugal on Tuesday evening, left Juventus this summer after seven years and had the clubs to choose from. The 28-year-old attacker has long been associated with a sensitive move to Internazionale, but the club of Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries first had to sell before it can meet his salary requirements. The equally interested Napoli and AC Milan have therefore already dropped out. However, Roma decided to take the plunge and make Dybala an offer of six million euros in annual salary, including bonuses.
That amount is according to La Republica considerably lower than the initial requirement of the 34-time Argentine international. Dybala would have demanded a guaranteed net salary of six million euros, excluding one million euros in any bonuses. Manchester United and Arsenal would have been willing to put that amount on the table, but it has been eerily quiet from England in recent weeks. Roma was more decisive in that respect. Mourinho and technical director Tiago Pinto had made Dybala an absolute transfer priority.
Dybala and his agents were considering Roma’s proposal Sunday night, Di Marzio wrote. On Monday morning, the journalist reported white smoke and two days later the contracts were signed. Dybala has been playing in Italy since 2012. Palermo then took over the striker annex false striker from the Argentine Instituto for 11.9 million euros. After three seasons, Juventus decided to make the cut and pay 41 million euros for Dybala. Due to the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic, la Vecchia Signora however, let the Argentinian stay on only at a reduced salary. That is why Dybala decided to close the door at Juventus after seven years after seven years.