Barcelona Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Contract Rumours Amid Blaugrana Talk

Juventus are reportedly preparing a new "monster deal" for star forward Paulo Dybala amid rumours Barcelona are interested in cutting a deal to sign the Argentina international.

Dybala has been a huge success since joining the Serie A champions from Palermo in the summer of 2015, and Italian outlet Calciomercato.com reported Juve plan to offer their marvel a one-year contract extension until 2021.

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The 22-year-old also stands to see his current €2.2 million (£1.9 million) annual salary more than doubled to €4.4 million (£3.9 million) if he signs a new deal, level alongside the club's second-highest earner, Miralem Pjanic.

The Bianconeri are unsurprisingly pleased with the progress Dybala has made since coming to Turin last year, although he only scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe was quick to praise the attacker's 35-yard rocket, a goal that promises to kick-start Dybala's season and reignite the form he enjoyed throughout most of last term:

Four matches was the longest Dybala went without a goal for Juventus in Serie A last season, and Tuesday's breakthrough could be the signal he needed to finally resume that prolific form in front of goal.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia), Dybala opened up on what his first goal of the campaign meant to him and how he's approached his game in what's been a "tough" patch:

"

It’s tough when you don’t score, but I found the net tonight and it went well. 

I thought that I was doing ok anyway, so long as the team was winning and I didn’t score, it was fine. 

I [will] continue playing the same way and I just do what the Coach says.

"

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Football Italia cited Calciomercato and added that the Scudetto holders are eager to fend off Barcelona's interest by "locking down" Dybala, who netted 23 goals in 46 games for the Bianconeri during his maiden term in Turin.

The news will come as a big statement of loyalty for the player as well, particularly after OptaPaolo pointed out the club has had success without the South American among their ranks over the past year:

Barca could be eager to see Dybala link up alongside Argentinian compatriot Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, particularly as the latter approaches 30 and attention turns to who his eventual successor at the club may be.

At the very least, Dybala's Instagram presence suggests he's enjoying his time with the Old Lady a year into his Turin tenure, and Barca would have a hard time finding a deal if their target signed a contract extension:

The Blaugrana signed Valencia forward Paco Alcacer over the summer as their fourth attacker behind Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, but Dybala could be viewed as a player more ready to challenge the established trio.

For now, the Argentina striker's contract doesn't expire until 2020, meaning Juventus have no immediate concerns, but the club will endeavour nonetheless to ensure their star stays out of Barca's clutches.