Arsenal Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Exit Confirmed, Alexis Sanchez Talks Future

Arsenal target Paulo Dybala's summer exit from current club Palermo has been confirmed and the bidding war looks to have begun in earnest for the Argentinian starlet.

That's according to the Serie A side's president Maurizio Zamparini, who told Radio Marte Sport (h/t ESPN) that both the Gunners—apparently the player's preferred Premier League club—and Juventus have already lodged offers for Dybala. But it seems he won't be allowed to leave on the cheap:

"

Juventus and Arsenal have already made offers for the boy. [Pierpaolo] Triulzi, his agent, will be in Italy on Friday.

It hasn't changed. Someone like Dybala cannot be worth less than €40 million. He would prefer to stay in Italy - he still wants to play in Serie A.

Of the English clubs that have shown interest, though, Arsenal is his first choice because of the way [Arsene] Wenger makes his team play.

"

Dybala's contract expires in 2016 and Zamparini has admitted to Live Sicilia the club are preparing for life without the 21-year-old, who is set to depart at the end of the season (via GianlucaDiMarzio.com):

"

It's obvious that Dybala will leave, in fact we are looking for another striker since we currently only have Belotti on the squad. It's not Dybala who is struggling, he gets few balls. The whole team is struggling, the midfield is struggling, they are less aggressive and even Vazquez is struggling.

"

The Gunners have long been linked with a move for Dybala, and clearly the Italian press see Arsenal and Juventus as the front-runners to sign the young star, per Sport Witness:

According to Sky Sports' Nick Wright, competition for his signature will also reportedly come from Manchester United and Chelsea, and maybe even Barcelona, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Aaron Flanagan in the Mirror).

Dybala has described a potential Arsenal move in the past as an "amazing" prospect, per Serie A expert David Amoyal, but the likes of Barca, Chelsea and United could likely offer the forward greater financial incentive:

Dybala has had a real breakthrough season in Serie A this term, netting 12 times and contributing to more goals than all but Juve's Carlos Tevez, per WhoScored.com:

Arsene Wenger would surely relish the challenge of bringing in such a talented youngster, but he may be put off by Zamparini's quoted valuation for Dybala of €40 million (£29 million), per Ben Gladwell on ESPN FC.

An alternative forward purchase for Arsenal could be Barcelona's Pedro, who has been linked with Arsenal for some time, per Fichajes.net (via Metro's George Bellshaw).

According to Sport, Barca are set to allow the 27-year-old Spaniard to leave in the summer—he has only a year left on his contract—in search of more regular first-team football.

The Camp Nou outfit have slapped a €20 million (£14.5 million) price-tag on Pedro, making him a potential bargain buy considering his goalscoring ability, effective interplay and versatility in attack.

Alexis Plans Long Stay

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Alexis Sanchez has had a blistering first season for Arsenal in the Premier League and is clearly in for the long haul at the Emirates.

The £35 million Arsenal paid Barcelona for the Chilean star last summer has been worth every penny, as Sanchez has become the Gunners' most valuable player, per B/R UK's James McNicholas:

In comments that are sure to make Arsenal fans very happy, the 26-year-old Sanchez has expressed his love for the Premier League, and indicated that he is looking to improve ever further in north London, per Marc Williams in the Daily Star:

"

I can adapt well to anything as long as I play football. Football is my passion and I am happy as long as I chase a ball. I'm well adapted to the country and the league. I must keep on learning, though. I want to expand my knowledge of English football in general and Arsenal and my teammates in particular, but overall I love this league. At the end of the day, football was invented in this country, right? I live where football was invented. That makes me really happy.

"

Sanchez has scored 13 league goals this season, per WhoScored.com, and the Gunners are bidding for a second-place Premier League finish and a second consecutive FA Cup triumph.

An improved Sanchez and some savvy summer signings and Arsenal should be in contention for the title next season, with Premier League glory having alluded them for over a decade.

Sanchez has already proven to be one of Wenger's best ever buys, and he is evidently looking to make the Emirates his home for the foreseeable future.