Roma consider Dybala contract cut and Arribas move as summer rebuild looms
AS Roma are prepared to allow forward Paulo Dybala to leave this summer unless he accepts a significant reduction to his current salary, according to reports in Italy. The club's stance comes amid interest from Boca Juniors, Turkish clubs, and Flamengo in the 30-year-old Argentine, whose contract contains a relatively low release clause for foreign clubs.
Dybala, who is currently recovering from meniscus surgery, is targeting a return for the match against Atalanta on 18 April, ahead of schedule. His early comeback is seen as an effort to aid Roma's final Serie A push and to state his case for inclusion in Argentina's squad for the upcoming World Cup. Despite his importance to the team, the club's hierarchy has shown little indication of wanting to renew his deal on its present financial terms.
The only pathway for Dybala to remain at the Stadio Olimpico appears to be accepting a salary reduction from his current reported €6 million net per year to around €2.5 million. A similar situation reportedly surrounds club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini. Manager Daniele De Rossi is understood to be in favour of retaining both players, aware of the challenges in finding suitable replacements in the transfer market.
In anticipation of possible departures, Roma's sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi, is already exploring alternatives. The club has made contact with La Liga 2 side Almeria regarding their attacking midfielder Sergio Arribas. The 22-year-old Spanish playmaker, a product of Real Madrid's academy, has impressed this season, scoring 20 goals and providing 7 assists in 33 league appearances.
Arribas represents a younger profile for Roma's planned offensive revolution, with several attacking players expected to depart. The club values the Spaniard at approximately €20 million, a figure that aligns with Almeria's own valuation. Roma's interest is not new; Ghisolfi is said to have monitored Arribas for the past two years during his previous role at Nice.
The potential overhaul of Roma's attack could see changes beyond Dybala, with Stephan El Shaarawy's future also uncertain and links to players like Borussia Dortmund's Julian Brandt, who is available on a free transfer but faces considerable competition. The moves signal a shift in strategy under the new ownership, prioritising financial sustainability and a younger squad profile while attempting to remain competitive under De Rossi's guidance.
