Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has dismissed rumours of a move to Barcelona and said he can fulfill his dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi with the Argentinian national team.
Dybala netted 23 times for the Serie A champions last season, form that had led to him being linked with the Spanish giants. But the striker has laid those rumours to rest and suggested a new contract is on the way, as per Ben Spratt .
"I am close to renewing with Juventus," Dybala said. "What the press say about Barcelona does not make any sense, especially because the window is closed. To play with Messi is a dream, which I can achieve .
Dybala's comments should reassure Juventus fans and appear to back up the frontman's decision to reject the overtures from Catalonia in the summer.
As noted by La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC), Dybala's agent Gustavo Mascardi claimed Barca previously lodged a huge bid for the striker.
"It's true that in recent months Barcelona enquired about him, with an offer which was double what the Bianconeri paid for him, but the player first of all felt it is more important to consolidate his experience at the club who are giving him the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level."
Dybala was sent off on his Argentina debut against Uruguay last month, a fate that also befell Messi in 2005.
Messi sympathised with his compatriot and the pair have since struck up a rapport, as Dybala revealed to Argentinian newspaper Ole .
"When I was sent off, he consoled me too. Leo told me to stay calm, that these things happen and it wasn't my fault, but that of the referee. I was really upset, it was a horrible moment, because that was a special day for me and it didn’t go the way I expected. I might've been anxious or played badly, but to get sent off? Never. Besides, my first yellow card was very harsh."
Dybala will hope to get more chances to play alongside Messi after the Argentina legend made a U-turn over his decision to retire from the national team after a disappointing Copa America campaign.
However, Messi is injured for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay, so the progression of their relationship will have to wait.
