Reports: Manchester City eye stunning move for top Real Madrid target
What's the rumour?
Despite having one of Europe's most fearsome attacks at his fingertips, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is keen on adding reinforcements to his side's frontline, and has set his sights on Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
In case you didn't know...
Dybala has been an integral part of Juventus' title-winning sides ever since joining the club in 2015. However, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo this past summer has forced the Argentine into the shadows and he has been keen on an exit ever since.
The 25-year-old's form too has taken a nosedive, managing just two goals and four assists in 20 league appearances this season.
The heart of the matter
According to reports, Pep Guardiola sent club CEO Ferran Soriano to Italy to watch Dybala in action last month against Lazio; a game Juventus ended up winning courtesy a late, late penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dybala struggled to make an impact in the match - much like he has this entire season - but that display was not enough to quell the City manager's interest in the player, with Pep ready to make a move for the forward in the summer.
While it would take a bid northward of €120m to prise the Argentine away from Juventus' grasp, that should not pose too much of a problem for the Manchester club.
Rumour rating: 6/10
With Riyad Mahrez struggling to make an impact at the Etihad, Gabriel Jesus failing to hit the heights of his debut season and Sergio Aguero's constant run-ins with injury, the move for Dybala makes sense from a City perspective.
However, considering the fact that Juventus' sporting director Fabio Paratici recently quashed all rumours of a potential exit for Dybala, stating that his future remains in Turin, it remains to be seen whether he can be swayed by a large enough bid.
Video
What's next?
Dybala has been linked with a number of high-profile European sides, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, but as of now he remains firmly a Juventus player and will turn out for the Old Lady against Frosinone in the Serie A ahead of a mouthwatering clash against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.