After weeks of speculation about his future, Argentina striker Paulo Dybala has agreed to join Roma on a free transfer, and the man known as 'La Joya' will now hope to shine brightly for Jose Mourinho's side.
The Giallorossi apparently beat southern rivals Napoli to the 28-year-old's signature, offering the former Juventus forward a contract worth around £5m per season. Dybala's deal is expected to run for three years with an option for a fourth included.
Having departed Turin in emotional circumstances, he now heads for the Eternal City, but many have questioned why a higher-profile club did not move to secure his services - particularly with no transfer fee required.
It is believed that excessive contract demands priced Dybala out of either remaining with Juve or his desired switch to their bitter rivals Inter - and a chequered injury record certainly makes him something of a risky proposition.
That notwithstanding, can one of Serie A's most magical players now provide the catalyst for Roma's revival as a force at home and abroad? Could he even help the Europa Conference League champions go on to lift a first Scudetto for 22 years? Sports Mole sums up his chances.
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WHY DID DYBALA LEAVE JUVENTUS?
Lifting a total of 12 trophies during his time at Juventus, Dybala was an integral figure in the Bianconeri's success amid an unbroken run of nine straight Serie A titles, and was even named Serie A's 'Most Valuable Player' of the 2019-20 campaign.
In just under 300 appearances at the club, Dybala scored 115 goals and provided 48 assists, and the Argentina international's talent cannot be called into question. The impact of injuries, though, have caused his star to dim somewhat over the past two years, and now he finds himself moving on.
It could have been an altogether different story, as Juve coach Max Allegri was content for him to stay, but along with his agent, it seems Dybala overplayed his hand in negotiations. As a result, he will now join a side without Champions League football - and for an estimated £1.2m per year less than Juventus originally offered several months ago.
Frustrated by his stalling, Juve's management withdrew that proposed extension, with persistent rumours that Dybala's representatives were demanding £8.5m each year.
An endless list of thigh and muscular problems now sees La Joya leave Turin an injury-plagued bit-part player, and his influence had waned to such an extent that many Juventus fans may not mourn their crown jewel's departure.
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IS ROMA THE RIGHT DESTINATION?
With no serious Premier League suitors, and Paris Saint-Germain moving for other targets, it soon became clear that Dybala would remain on the Italian peninsula - his home since 2012 - and it was simply a matter of where.
Initially, it seemed clear that his next destination would be San Siro, as Inter were not shy in declaring an interest in one of their main rivals' stars. The Nerazzurri, though, stalled negotiations when Romelu Lukaku returned to the club on loan from Chelsea.
Indeed, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi can already call upon Dybala's countrymen Joaquin Correa and Lautaro Martinez, plus Edin Dzeko, Alexis Sanchez and Lukaku, so hardly needed strengthening up front.
Ultimately, despite Napoli's late gambit, it is believed only one concrete offer remained on the table for Dybala's agents, and it came from Roma.
The former Palermo striker should prove a welcome addition to Mourinho's master plan at Stadio Olimpico, joining an exciting forward line in the capital, alongside Nicolo Zaniolo and last term's top scorer Tammy Abraham.
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As a creative second striker who is surely set to dovetail nicely with the latter, Dybala should effectively replace Inter-bound Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Mourinho's squad - though quite what his integration into the starting XI means for captain Lorenzo Pellegrini remains to be seen.
Will the Italy international be forced to occupy a deeper role, allowing Dybala full creative rein, much like club legend Francesco Totti used to enjoy in Rome?
As a potential successor to Totti at the Olimpico, early suggestions were that Dybala might prefer not to take on the heavy weight of the number 10 shirt, but he is instead expected to don the iconic jersey with Totti's blessing.
With the stage now set, there are several reasons to think that - if an injury-free run finally materialises - La Joya can succeed in the Eternal City, having already joined up with his new teammates at a pre-season training camp in Albufeira.
Nonetheless, Calciomercato.com have reported that his contract includes a release clause of £17m, which could be active from as soon as next summer. If true, does that suggest Dybala lacks full commitment to the cause, and could he even jump ship if Roma once more fail to qualify for the Champions League?
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ROMA'S SCUDETTO CHALLENGE
After claiming their first significant trophy for many years, Roma's next target in the Dan Friedkin era will certainly be a finish in Serie A's top four.
While Champions League qualification is their American owner's primary aim, the Giallorossi could be classed as dark horses for the title, given Mourinho's strengthening of the squad so far this summer.
Also set to embark on a Europa League campaign, as a result of last season's sixth-place finish in the standings, Roma had already made three notable signings since winning the Conference League before Dybala signed on the dotted line.
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic and Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar both joined on free transfers, while Turkey international Zeki Celik was brought in from Lille for around £6 million.
In addition, Mourinho has managed to hold onto Tammy Abraham (so far), and Euro 2020 star Leonardo Spinazzola should be back at full fitness on the left flank, after joining up with Italy in the summer - 12 months on from his Achilles tendon injury.
Not only that, but Juventus have apparently declined to firm up their interest in Nicolo Zaniolo, and - according to Corriere dello Sport - the versatile forward could now be committed to a new contract.
Champions Milan, Inzaghi's Inter, Juventus, Napoli, arch-rivals Lazio and even a resurgent Fiorentina all stand in Roma's way, though, so Dybala may require his greatest season of all if he is to lead his new side to the Scudetto.
Jonathan O'Shea
