Barcelona Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Comments on Rumours and Lionel Messi

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has addressed rumours Barcelona are scouting him, stating he'd “love” to play with Lionel Messi, but the two will only line up together for the Argentina national team for now.

As reported by Sport's Mar Bianchi, Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez traveled to Turin to watch the 22-year-old take on Roma with the Bianconeri, a match in which he scored the winner. Afterward, the youngster was asked about Fernandez's presence:

"

To tell you the truth I had no idea there were people from FC Barcelona in the stands.

It makes me happy that things are going well, the team's working hard and we will show we are capable of giving more in the future, we have to continue like this.

I think that when Leo Messi spoke about me it was in relation to the Argentine national team. I think that he said he had told Tata Martino. If it's like that, that he feels admiration for me, I'm very grateful. I'd love to play with Messi.

"

People have linked Dybala with a move to the Catalans ever since he told Radio Belgrano (h/t Sean Gallagher of the Daily Mail) he would swim across the Mediterranean Sea if the Catalans came knocking back in March.

Those comments were made when he still played for Palermo, but instead of joining Barcelona during the summer, he opted for Juventus.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri slowly worked the Argentinian into the squad, and Dybala has been on a tear ever since he became a regular starter. Per Squawka Football, he's been the driving force behind Juventus' strong form:

The Bianconeri started the season in dreadful form but have won their last 11 Serie A contests and sit just behind Napoli in the standings. Many players have contributed to the run, including star midfielder Paul Pogba, but there's no denying Dybala has been the biggest factor.

Brought in to replace Carlos Tevez, who left the club for Boca Juniors, Dybala has seamlessly taken over his role as the main creator in attack, using his mobility and dribbling skills to unlock defences.

He's scoring and assisting goals at an impressive rate, but his impact goes beyond the statistics, per ESPN FC's David Amoyal:

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

With his great dribbling ability, superb vision and raw pace, there's little doubt Dybala would be an excellent fit for Barcelona's attack, and he looks almost like a dream replacement for Messi, who still has several years left at the top level but will start to deteriorate at some point in the future.

Don't expect a move anytime soon, however. Barcelona don't have a need for another attacker, with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez forming arguably the top attacking trio on the planet. Dybala is starring for Juventus―he's unlikely to give that up for a spot on the Barcelona bench.

He only moved to Turin last summer, and the Bianconeri won't even consider a sale at this point. The club has done a fantastic job keeping hold of its young talent in the last few seasons, with Pogba still plying his trade in Italy, and a similar scenario will likely be in store for Dybala.

He's still just 22 years old and developing as a footballer, and right now, he finds himself in a perfect situation in Turin. It's almost scary to think how much better he could still become with regular playing time―La Liga blogger Rafael Hernandez already thinks highly of him:

Barcelona will keep their eye on Dybala, and it wouldn't come as a major shock if the Argentina international completed a move to the Blaugrana several years down the line.

The Catalans will have to find a way to get past their ongoing financial troubles first, per Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz, as Dybala likely won't come cheap. He's expected to stay in Italy for at least two or three more years, but if he can keep developing at such a quick rate, plenty of top clubs across the continent will come calling very soon.

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