Representatives on behalf of Premier League giants Liverpool will travel to Italy in February to open talks for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Having completed a £37 million deal for Porto flyer Luis Diaz on Sunday, renewed speculation linking Dybala with a move to Anfield raises a few questions. One, in particular, revolves around where he would fit in under Jurgen Klopp.
Diaz joins Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino in arguably the most fearsome frontline in European football.
Yes, Divock Origi is expected to depart – either on the final day of the January window or when his contract expires in the summer. But surely a player as expensive and talented as Dybala would not swap Turin for Merseyside without someone else making way first.
He doesn’t strike us as a man who’d be happy with life as a big-name back-up.
The player most at risk, then, could be Firmino. The long-serving Brazilian turned 30 in October. He has just 18 months left on his contract too. Furthermore, he’s no longer a guaranteed starter on the red side of Stanley Park.
Dybala is facing an uncertain future of his own at club level.
Could Paulo Dybala actually sign for Liverpool?
According to Argentine publication TYC Sports, the former Palermo talisman will be a free agent in the summer. He’s rejected the chance to extend his £220,000-a-week contract.
Perhaps Dybala fears that opportunities will be hard to come by at Juventus following Dusan Vlahovic’s bank-breaking arrival from Fiorentina.
And while he is hardly the ‘typical’ Liverpool signing, the 2020 Premier League champions have shown a willingness to deviate from their usual blueprint when an opportunity arises.
Dybala, then, would be an addition akin to that of Thiago Alcantara. A ready-made, world-class talent capable of shaking up a settled dressing room.
TMW report that Liverpool will head to Italy to open talks with not only Dybala but also Milan Skriniar.
A key cog in the Inter side who lifted their first Serie A title in a decade under Antonio Conte, the Tottenham boss would love to reunite with Slovakia international Skriniar in North London.
Inter are desperate to retain the defender’s services, however. They rejected £55 million when rejecting a bid from Spurs in late-2021.
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