Roma Star May Transfer to Galatasaray, Joining Osimhen in January's Lineup
According to Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk, negotiations for Paulo Dybala are underway.
"He's a top-notch player, and every manager covets him, including me," Buruk shared with the media.
Dybala, a 31-year-old World Cup winner, is still regarded as one of the last outstanding number tens of his era. With an impressive tally of 127 goals in Serie A and 25 more in European competitions, Burak is confident that Dybala is the perfect addition to strengthen Galatasaray's title defense and their pursuit of a Turkish Super Lig three-peat.
Despite a challenging season in Rome, Dybala managed to score four league goals and provide one assist in 2024-25. As Roma spiraled deeper into crisis, the team changed coaches three times.
Current coach Claudio Ranieri believes Dybala would prefer to remain at the Stadio Olimpico to help Roma improve from their current tenth-place position. Dybala, a beloved figure at Roma, has expressed a desire to see out his contract, which could expire in June.
In a scenario where Dybala meets certain conditions, he could stay in Serie A until 2026. He needs to play in six more matches this season, completing at least 45 minutes in each, to activate the extension clause.
Ranieri is likely to start Dybala in their upcoming game against AC Milan at the Stadio San Siro. After the January transfer window, Dybala's representatives will be working hard to secure one final significant payday before he enters the twilight of his career.
"Agents promote players globally," Ranieri commented when asked about Dybala. "There's been no contact, but I know he wants to stay. He's content with us, and we're content with him.”
Dybala is rated at $12.5M (€12M) and could join the ranks of former Serie A stars playing for Super Lig clubs, some of whom are shining brightly at Galatasaray, the Turkish champions.
However, Galatasaray is also dealing with a serious injury to Mauro Icardi, another Argentinean striker. After suffering a knee injury against Tottenham in the Europa League, Icardi is expected to be out of action until at least May.
Under Burak's tenure, Galatasaray has assembled a powerful squad beginning with the signing of four key players. The former Inter midfielder, who took over as coach in 2022, brought in Icardi ($10.3M), Sassuolo defender Kaan Ayhan, Torreira from Fiorentina, and Dries Mertens from Napoli when the president discarded the Belgian playmaker.
In 2024, when Napoli struggled to secure a big-money sale for Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray offered the Nigerian a loan deal at the last minute when Conte excluded him from the Serie A squad list due to a long-standing dispute with his agent.
With Dybala's situation uncertain at Roma, Galatasaray is prepared to make a move if the opportunity arises.
Furthermore, Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Jurić have already faced the wrath of the club's owners, The Friedkin Group, who sacked both coaches within two months. With Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matias Soulè and Gianluca Mancini underperforming, more changes are expected in the coaching staff.
Ranieri is expected to bring stability as results fluctuate, and his extensive coaching experience, having managed eight different Serie A clubs, will help him navigate star players coming and going.
"When he's fit, he plays, but if he's tired, I'll rest him like any other," Ranieri remarked to DAZN after Roma defeated Parma 5-0.
"There's a Roma with him and a Roma without him."
- Buruk mentioned that negotiations for Paulo Dybala, a highly coveted player in Italian soccer, are currently ongoing with Galatasaray.
- Despite facing challenges in Rome, Dybala expressed a desire to stay at AS Roma until his contract expires in June, potentially leading to a six-more-match extension clause.
- Galatasaray, the Turkish champions, could benefit from Dybala's expertise in the Turkish Super Lig, following the footsteps of other former Serie A stars who have shone brightly at the club.
- According to Ranieri, Dybala is content with Roma and would prefer to help improve their position in Serie A rather than considering a transfer to Galatasaray.
- In the event that certain conditions are met and Dybala decides to leave AS Roma, Galatasaray, under Buruk's management, is ready to capitalize on this opportunity in the Turkish Super Lig.
