Barcelona Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Named Top Summer Target, Latest Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly made Juventus striker Paulo Dybala their No. 1 summer transfer target. The Catalan club has scouted the 22-year-old and identified him as a perfect fit alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Albert Masnou of Spanish publication Sport states technical director Robert Fernandez "has been studying the player" and is impressed by his "movement, pace, technical ability and because he can play anywhere across the front line."

While Argentinian Dybala is not expected to come cheap, he has expressed his desire to play in the same side as fellow countryman Lionel Messi, as Masnou noted: "He’s already spoken about his desire to play regularly alongside Messi in the national team. As well as sharing a nationality, Messi is the youngter’s idol. Transfermarkt claim he’s worth 36 million euros, but Juve would be looking at a sum closer to 60 million euros."

It's not surprising Dybala would command such a fee, as the former Palermo ace is a rising star in European football. He's found the net 12 times in Serie A for the Turin club this season, according to WhoScored.com, proof Dybala is developing well.

Writing for the Guardian, Paolo Bandini believes Dybala is the type of versatile forward Carlos Tevez was during his time with Juventus:

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His performances were even more eye-catching than his statistics. Billed as a striker on his arrival, Dybala is showing himself to be something more nuanced and sophisticated – a player who loves to drop deep to gather possession and help construct attacks as well as finish them.

He is not quite a No10, and not a false nine either, but instead bears comparison in his approach to the man who came before him at Juventus, Carlos Tevez.

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That kind of flexibility and skill would certainly endear Dybala to the coaching and playing staffs at the Camp Nou. Even though Barca boss Luis Enrique has altered the club's style somewhat, going slightly more direct, last season's treble winners still like to move the ball at pace with one-touch passing and perceptive movement.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

It's a style that demands fluid forwards. Neymar is part winger, part striker, Suarez is a cross between a classic No. 9 and a traditional No. 10, while Messi's brilliance demands freedom.

But despite such ample talent up front, Enrique knows he needs more options. He recently expressed his desire to add another forward, per a report from Reuters (h/t the Guardian).

Celta Vigo's Nolito seemed a prime target in that plan, but any deal for the 29-year-old apparently broke down over Barca's unwillingness to meet the €18 million release clause immediately, according to Moises Llorens of Spanish publication AS.

Despite balking at that fee, Masnou reports Barca's board feels differently about investing in Dybala, who has his best years ahead of him.

With only the gifted-but-raw Munir El Haddadi as a viable alternative up front, Enrique knows his marquee squad needs another young talent to challenge for a starting spot. Dybala certainly qualifies, even though the price will be high.