Aston Villa: Paulo Dybala ‘an option’ for Unai Emery as Fabrizio Romano shares transfer update
Aston Villa will view Roma attacker Paulo Dybala as a potential transfer option ahead of the summer transfer window at Villa Park, according to Alan Hutton.
Unai Emery’s side were linked with the Argentina international during the January transfer window, with reports suggesting that the combination of his experience and £10.7million release clause would help them in their push for the Champions League [Daily Star, 1 January].
For whatever reason, Villa didn’t opt to pursue that deal at the time, but Fabrizio Romano (7 March) has confirmed that the 30-year-old will have another release clause during the summer window leaving the race open for his signature.
While Hutton admits that Dybala will more than likely be on Emery’s radar ahead of the end of the season, he thinks the Villa boss will look to other targets first before pursuing the Roma forward’s signature.
“He’s a really good player,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I’m not sure, does he fit into that team? I think he gives you something because he’s got that technical ability. When you’ve got the likes of Buendia to still come back, I don’t know when but he should be back for the new season, Zaniolo will obviously go back I would have thought.
“I think he’s an option, am I sitting here thinking he’s their number one target who’s going to play week in and week out, but I think the fee seems decent for somebody with his talent.
“But it doesn’t really excite me, even though I know he’s a good player.”
Will Unai Emery and Aston Villa spend big in the summer transfer window at Villa Park?
A lot has been made about Villa’s current financial fair play position, with speculation suggesting that Emery will have to sell stars like Ollie Watkins or Douglas Luiz this summer before adding to his first-team squad.
Whether or not that will be the case remains to be seen, but Dybala appears to present a low-risk high-reward option for the Villans given his relatively low release clause and impressive record throughout his career.
In 20 Serie A appearances this term, the 30-year-old has scored 12 goals and laid on seven assists for his teammates. His fitness is an issue, but when he is available, there are few forwards as consistent in European football.
Emery and those around him at Villa Park will likely already have a list of potential targets at Bodymoor Heath, whether that includes Dyabala isn’t clear, but this sort of deal could make perfect sense.
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has named the player he expects to be Villa’s next captain after John McGinn
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