Arsenal Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Keen on Gunners Amid Meeting Rumours

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini "will meet" Arsenal officials to discuss the transfer of Paulo Dybala, according to Serie A specialist David Amoyal, who writes on behalf of Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio.

Dybala is reportedly "ready to accept" a move to the club, per Spanish publication Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of the Metro).

Amoyal notes the Gunners have remained interested in the Argentinian striker for "quite some time" but indicates the 21-year-old's "first choice" is a move to Juventus. Sanderson notes Arsenal are "more than willing" to stump up Palermo's reported asking price of £28.9 million for the striker, who has netted 12 and assisted seven in 27 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com.

Palermo coach Dario Baccin recently told SkySport (h/t Anthony Gullo of Di Marzio's website) that a host of European clubs are circling Dybala after his breakout season:

"

Dybala is a player who has many estimators. We provided him with an opportunity, he has made the most out of it, but for now we are focused on what occurs on the pitch. We will later evaluate what would be the best future for him. Paolo is working really well, it is normal for one to slow down a bit, but at least it is not difficult to imagine him scoring every game. He will have a fantastic end to the season.

"

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Football writer Samuel JayC ponders what Dybala's potential Emirates Stadium arrival would mean for Theo Walcott:

Incidentally, Walcott was recently linked with a move to Liverpool, according to papers such as the Daily Mirror and Daily Express (summarised by John Thompson of the Liverpool Echo). He is coming toward the end of his current contract—which is due to expire at the end of next season, per Transfermarkt.com—and has become something of a bit-part player under Arsene Wenger due to injuries and a lack of form.

Dybala doesn't run the channels like Walcott but is immensely creative in the box. He is the type of player who can pick a pass or clinically finish, highlighted below:

Wenger has one in-form striker in the shape of Olivier Giroud, but Arsenal need more to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City.

Both of these sides possess at least three world-class strikers, while Arsenal have been forced to rely on Alexis Sanchez and Giroud's late burst of form. This is enough to confirm a Champions League place, sure, but it's not enough to push the north London side on.

In February, Wenger suggested Walcott has reached a "decisive phase" in his Gunners career, reported by Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph.

It wouldn't be beyond the Frenchman to offer a new deal out of the good of his heart—he is often faithful to players—but Arsenal must scrap the underperformers and try new blood if Wenger's final years are to be remembered as a silverware-laden success.

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Dybala is the type of intriguing youngster Wenger loves to take on, so his switch would make sense. The aforementioned price is a heavy one and would bring a considerable level of expectation, but the player is immensely talented. He also appears level-headed and confident of his own ability, a vital ingredient to making it in England.

Of course, if Juventus step up their interest, Wenger may not have a decision to make. Dybala's move is likely to be one of the costliest of the summer, perhaps even more so if you're Walcott, whose dreams of playing as a striker are fading.