Juventus Transfer News: Massimiliano Allegri Dismisses Paulo Dybala Exit Rumours

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has laughed off speculation suggesting star forward Paulo Dybala is an Atletico Madrid target.

The Argentina international has long been linked with a departure from Juventus, although fresh rumours linking him with Atletico prompted plenty of eyebrows to be raised. When asked about the speculation, Allegri made it clear he didn't put too much stock in it.

"Dybala to Atletico? I hope [Diego] Simeone has at least offered him lunch," he said at a press conference. "He must be motivated for the end of the season, although I think he'll ultimately be one of the stars in Russia [at the FIFA World Cup]."

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As Football Italia noted, there have been stories that Dybala recently had dinner with Atletico boss Simeone and that the Madrid outfit would seek to sign the Juventus man as a replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who is reportedly a Barcelona target.

Both Marca and Onda Cero have reported that Dybala is top of Atletico's list of targets at the end of the season (h/t Football Espana).

As a versatile, dynamic and left-footed forward, Dybala is one of the few players in football who could replace Griezmann at the Wanda Metropolitano if he were to leave Juventus Stadium. Once again, the Argentina international is lighting up Serie A this season.

Following a recent injury layoff, it took him a while to get back up to speed, although he's netted four times in his past three games for Juve. As BT Sport Football noted, two of those strikes were huge for Juve:

Dybala is one of the best players in football when he's at his best, and although his game can be blighted by inconsistency at times, he's generally a game-changer for the Bianconeri.

It's why it would be a shock to see Juventus sell him at the end of the season, especially to Atletico. Dybala, after all, is tied down in Turin until 2022. Allegri will thus be keen to build a team around him for many years to come.

The reports do come as something of a surprise, and as B/R's Gianni Verschueren noted, aside from Dybala and Simeone's relationship, this one doesn't have too much going for it:

Atletico are regularly competing for the biggest prizes in Spain and in Europe, having cemented themselves among the continent's top clubs under Simeone. Still, someone as talented as Dybala is surely out of their price bracket, even with the money they would bring in from Griezmann's sale.

Plus, if Dybala were to move on, you feel as though only a switch to Real Madrid or Barcelona would represent a step up for him. With that in mind, it's not a shock to see Allegri isn't too concerned about these latest rumours.