Exclusive: Man Utd pull plug on Paulo Dybala deal amid reservations about Juventus striker’s desire to join them

Paulo Dybala looks happy to stay on at Juventus rather than join Man Utd
Paulo Dybala looks happy to stay on at Juventus rather than join Man Utd Credit: Rex

Manchester United have ended their interest in Paulo Dybala amid reservations about the Juventus striker’s desire to move to Old Trafford and his huge wage demands.

United have been in talks with Juventus over the possibility of offloading Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to the Turin giants and Dybala moving to Manchester in return.

But Telegraph Sport understands that United have decided to pull the plug on that potential swap deal due to Dybala’s reluctance to leave Juventus, the Argentine’s huge wage demands and exorbitant agents’ fees.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, is determined only to bring in players who are fully committed to being part of the club’s project.

Dybala wanted parity with United’s top earners, such as Alexis Sanchez, David De Gea and Paul Pogba, and there are also believed to have been complications over the player’s image rights.

Dybala wanted parity with United's top earners Credit: AFP

It is thought Dybala feels he is being pushed out of Juventus against his will. The news damages Lukaku’s hopes of a move to Juventus, who would have to cough up in excess of £80m to land the player in a straight cash deal unless they could offer alternative players in part exchange that would appeal to United.

It also remains to be seen where this now leaves Mario Mandzukic’s prospects of a transfer to Old Trafford. The Croatia striker’s name had also been discussed as part of a potential swap/deal involving Lukaku and Dybala.

Inter Milan are still trying to sign Lukaku, who is eager to quit United this summer and was reprimanded by Solskjaer after divulging confidential training data in a tweet on Friday that he was ordered to delete.

Inter had a £54 million bid for Lukaku rejected last month and need to sell Mauro Icardi to help raise funds to complete a deal for the United striker, but their manager, Antonio Conte, said he is confident a deal could still happen.


"I understand there are some gaps that need to be filled but at the moment I am very hopeful that this will happen. At the same time I'm working with a great group of players that gives me lots of satisfaction."

Inter had a £54 million bid for Lukaku rejected last month Credit: Getty Images

Although United could still replace Lukaku if he does depart, Solskjaer will not bring in a replacement just for the sake of it. The United manager has been hugely encouraged by the performances of emerging young stars such as Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong over the summer as he bids to give youth its chance and feels he has an array of attacking options.

United are still keeping their options open before the close of the Premier League transfer window on Thursday and have funds to spend. Midfield remains an area Solskjaer is interested in adding to. England centre half Harry Maguire’s £80m move from Leicester City is likely to be announced on Monday.

Maguire will become United’s third summer signing after Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and take their projected spending to £148m.

Maguire watched part of a behind closed doors game between a strong United XI featuring Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba against Blackburn Rovers Under-23s at the club’s Carrington training ground on Sunday.  

Solskjaer said he did not want to risk Pogba in Saturday night’s 2-2 draw against AC Milan in Cardiff due to pain from a back spasm but the midfielder got some game time against Blackburn along with Sanchez, who was given a 65 minute run out in his first pre-season appearance for United.

Sanchez was given an extended holiday after his involvement in the Copa America with Chile but suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the tournament that has delayed his return. Two goals from Jesse Lingard and one apiece for Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong secured a 4-0 win over Blackburn.