Manchester City preparing ‘monster contract’ for Liverpool target Paulo Dybala

Manchester City could be set to land one of the world’s top free agents this summer, if Paulo Dybala rejects a new deal with Juventus.

The forward is out of contract at the end of the season and is free to enter negotiations with clubs outside of Italy this month.

City are said to have joined the race for Dybala and are preparing a ‘monster contract’ in order to beat Liverpool and other interested clubs to the signing of the Argentine.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pep Guardiola has ‘always appreciated Paulo’ and is willing to offer the 28-year-old €10 million a year (£8.34 million) to make the switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The forward has made 23 appearances for Juventus in all competitions this season, scoring 11 goals and assisting his teammates on four occasions.

Gazzetta added that Dybala’s agent will ‘hold talks’ with the Serie A side in ‘mid-February’, before the player decides what is the best option for him.

If the 28-year-old joins the Sky Blues this summer, he’ll be competing with fan favourite Kevin De Bruyne for a starting place in the number-10 role. This, unless Guardiola shifts the latter deeper on the pitch, allowing Dybala to play in front of the Belgian.

However, as per SportItalia, via Metro, Liverpool have approached Dybala’s representatives, prompting a potential move to Merseyside this summer.

The Italian site claims the forward is ‘open’ to a switch to Anfield, but talks with Juventus will happen first.

Massimiliano Allegri, manager of the Turin club, is keen to keep Dybala in Italy past this summer. He said: “The evaluations of the contracts are the job of the company, they are not things that concern me.

“I raised Dybala, he was a child when he arrived from Palermo, now he’s grown up and he’s an extraordinary player. I expect a lot [from Dybala] in this second part of the season. The value of the player is beyond doubt. He is a great player.”