A late-night meeting between Paulo Dybala’s agent, representatives from Roma, and emissaries from Saudi club Al-Qadsiah has sparked intense speculation about the Argentine forward’s future. The gathering took place at the Hotel de Russie in Rome, a location with historical ties to the club’s former president, James Pallotta. The meeting, attended by Dybala’s agent Carlos Novel, Roma executives Lina Souloukou and Florent Ghisolfi, and Al-Qadsiah representatives, suggests that Roma are open to the possibility of selling Dybala, despite the Serie A season being just days away.
Il Corriere dello Sport report how the discussions reportedly revolved around the financial aspects of a potential transfer, with differing accounts on the figures involved. The meeting’s outcome could significantly impact Dybala’s role at Roma, especially given the club’s recent struggles to offload other players.
The situation has been further complicated by comments from Roma’s coach, Daniele De Rossi, who hinted at the possibility of player departures following a friendly match against Everton. De Rossi stated, “If someone wants to leave, I won’t hold them back,” suggesting that Dybala might be seeking a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia.
However, Dybala has publicly denied any intention to leave Roma for the Saudi League, emphasizing his commitment to the club. He pointed out that if he had wanted to move for financial reasons, he would have accepted offers when his release clause was still active. Dybala is reportedly focused on staying with Roma, where he has a nearly automatic contract extension until 2026, contingent on playing a certain percentage of matches.
The upcoming match against Cagliari may provide further clarity on Roma’s intentions, although the transfer saga could conclude before then. The situation echoes a similar scenario involving Roberto Mancini and the Saudi national team, where conflicting narratives emerged. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen whether Dybala will remain a key figure at Roma or if a new chapter awaits him elsewhere.
