Barcelona Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Comments Amid Latest Blaugrana Rumours

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has played down speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, as well as comparisons with compatriot Lionel Messi.

Dybala and Messi will come face-to-face on Tuesday night, as the Italian and Spanish champions meet in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Speaking ahead of the game, the Juve star was quizzed on links to Barca, with Marca's Xavi Hernandez telling the player his face "lights up" when discussing the Catalan giants. But Dybala said he is content with life in Turin.

"I am happy here, where everyone loves me very much," the 23-year-old told Marca (h/t Will Griffee of the MailOnline). "I feel at one of my best moments."

In the same interview, Dybala also stated there is no player in the game comparable to his imperious Argentina team-mate. 

"People have to know that I'm not Messi," he said. "I am Dybala, and I want to be only Dybala, although I understand that there are comparisons. Messi, there is only one, as there was only one Maradona. You cannot replace players like them. It is a burden that people have expectations about me."

The comparisons with great players may put some pressure on Dybala, although they're a testament to his talent. As we can see here, he's enjoyed a fantastic 2016-17 season with Juve:

And there are stylistic similarities between Dybala and Messi. Like the great man, Dybala is left-sided, creative, has a low centre of gravity and is capable of netting spectacular goals.

Of course, the Juve forward has a long way to go before he can be spoken about in the same bracket as a legend like Messi. For all his ability, Dybala still lacks consistency in his play, whereas his compatriot rarely lets a match slip by without putting his mark on it in the final third.

But Dybala has the talent to get close to those standards. Juve striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has played with both men regularly, suggested so earlier in the campaign, per Squawka Football:

As noted in the report, there have been reports linking Dybala with a move to Barcelona, where he could potentially continue to refine his game not only alongside Messi, but Luis Suarez and Neymar, too.

The former Palermo man ticks a lot of boxes for a potential Blaugrana acquisition. When Barcelona make big attacking signings, they seek to secure players capable of conjuring incredible moments; the arrivals of Suarez and Neymar in recent years sum up that strategy perfectly.

fotopress/Getty Images

Dybala has that trait, and if his mercurial skill could be harnessed frequently, he'd be a world-class force.

Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez believes Barcelona would be able to fit Dybala, Messi, Neymar and Suarez into the same side, too:

But it's clear Dybala is enjoying life at Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri's side have been supreme this season and will feel as though they have every chance of besting Barcelona over two legs. If they do, there's no reason why they can't be crowned kings of Europe come the end of the season.

All eyes will be on the Juventus No. 21 to see if he can play a decisive role in these two matches. Should he upstage Messi, Dybala can start to craft his own footballing legacy—something he evidently craves.

For more news, rumours and related stories about Dybala, Juventus and the Serie A, check out the Serie A and Dybala streams on Bleacher Report's app.