Chelsea and Barcelona to battle for star forward with €12 million release clause - Reports

Chelsea and Barcelona have made inquiries to sign World Cup winner Paulo Dybala from AS Roma whose contract expires in 2025, according to a report (by Fabrizio Romano).

Dybala, who reportedly has a release clause of €12 million in his contract that will be valid through July, has been with the Italian side since 2022. As per the report, AS Roma have the prerogative to decide his future should any Italian side trigger his release clause. However, the decision rests on Dybala if any other side triggers the clause.

Interestingly, Paulo Dybala has been linked with a move to Chelsea ever since Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over the reins of the West London club. Even after having spent €1.1 billion (according to Transfermarkt) on transfer fees since the summer of 2022, Chelsea are interested in signing a striker.

While Dybala doesn’t suit the age profile the Blues have been targeting since the takeover, the 30-year-old’s experience of having played as a false 9, on the right wing, and the left wing on some occasions, might be something for Chelsea to consider.

As for Barcelona, while the club finds itself in turbulent waters financially, Dybala’s arrival will make a lot of sense. Currently, Pedri, 21, and Gavi, 19, have been running the Catalans’ midfield. Although they have cemented their positions within the squad, the Argentine's addition will provide much-needed experience.

With a Champions League spot currently shrouded in mystery, this could very well be Dybala’s lost shot at a big-money move to a UCL-contending team. Despite losing to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, Barcelona are still in pole position to compete for the coveted trophy, at least in comparison with Chelsea.

The Blues currently sit in the ninth spot in the Premier League and their dreams of competing in the Champions League don’t look any less than a pipe dream.

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Barcelona crash out of UCL following 1-4 mauling at the hands of PSG

Raphinha scored the opening goal for Barcelona

The Blaugrana missed out on yet another shot at winning the UCL after losing to PSG 4-6 on aggregate.

After having won the first leg 3-2, the Catalans would’ve wanted to tie all the ends together to vie for the Champions League, a trophy that has eluded them since 2015.

However, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele chipping in with a goal each, the Parisians kept their hopes alive of bagging their maiden European trophy.

The clash between Barcelona and PSG was the kind authors pen novels about even though the scoreline says otherwise.

The Spanish giants took the lead through Raphinha early in the game but the momentum shifted towards the French side following a red card to Ronald Araujo in the first half. Barcelona couldn’t recover after that as PSG made the most of the extra man advantage. To make matters worse, gaffer Xavi, too, was sent off for showing dissent.

The Blaugrana have been pretty solid domestically and currently sit in second position, eight points behind runaway leaders Real Madrid.