Why Signing Paulo Dybala Would Prove a Worthwhile Gamble for Arsenal

This summer, a bidding war will be held to determine the destination of Palermo’s prodigiously gifted striker Paulo Dybala. Although he might not be a player Arsenal obviously need, he has the potential to elevate the Gunners into European football’s top tier.

Palermo have already admitted that Dybala will move this summer. Speaking to Tuttosport (h/t ESPN), the club’s president Maurizio Zamparini said:

"

Next year's going to be good for Palermo to be self-sufficient without the need for selling players, like this year when Dybala leaves. We're going to make a great profit on him, but in view of our accounts, I hope it's the last time [we are forced to sell a key player].

Big clubs have already called me, both from England and also PSG in France. The lad's very good and we're going to meet and find an agreement with his family and also his agent.

"

Zamparini is demanding about €40 million for Dybala’s signature, but given that the player has will have just a year remaining on his contract he may have to settle for closer to half that.

That would mean his fee falling well within Arsenal’s projected budget. With the recent signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, the Gunners have demonstrated they finally have the financial muscle to lure Europe’s best. Now Jamie Sanderson of The Metro is reporting that Arsenal are one of the English teams prepared to do battle over Dybala.

He wouldn’t be a surefire hit. Still only 20, Arsenal would be buying potential rather than a polished performer. There will also be worries about his capacity to deal with the physical elements of the English game - there is an established track record of players from Serie A struggling to impose themselves upon the Premier League.

However, Dybala should still be figuring prominently on Arsene Wenger’s summer shortlist. After recruiting Gabriel Paulista in January, Arsenal finally have something resembling a complete squad. They can only improve by adding world-class upgrades to their existing talent.

One area where they could look to refine their options is at centre-forward. Olivier Giroud has been in terrific form of late, but is unlikely to ever reach the "world class" bracket occupied by the likes of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

It’s almost impossible to buy a player of Aguero’s calibre. You can’t simply go out and get a Cristiano Ronaldo or a Lionel Messi. However, what you can do is look to identify someone with the attributes to hit those heights. Giroud, for all his strengths, will never be that guy—but Dybala could.

Do Arsenal need another centre-forward? Not particularly, no. Could a talent like Dybala help take them to the next level? Undoubtedly.

Dybala has scored 12 goals in 23 Serie A appearances this season—only Mauro Icardi and Carlos Tevez have managed more. While there is a variety to his goals, every single one of those strikes has come off Dybala’s magical left foot.* 

Dybala goalscoring positions 2014/15 - via Squawka

However, he is far more than just a goalscorer. Although he is unlikely to ever have the physique to emulate Giroud’s hold-up play, he is still a team player. Dybala has created 34 goalscoring opportunities this season and has been credited with seven assists—the second highest tally in division. By war of comparison, only Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil can come match that kind of statistically evidenced creativity.

Alexis is a useful comparison for Dybala. Both players are mercurial dribblers whose talent is matched by a tenacious attitude. The Chilean has already proven a success in both Serie A in the Premier League. Next season, it may be the turn of Dybala to try and replicate the feat.

It might be a €20 million gamble—but in Dybala’s case, it’s one worth taking.

*all stats via Squawka

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.