Manchester United transfer news: Why Paulo Dybala deal with Juventus is now in the balance

Dybala’s representatives are understood to have quoted the Old Trafford hierarchy £350,000 in wages with him also having reservations over their ability to return to the top level

Manchester United are struggling to strike an agreement with Paulo Dybala and his representatives, putting the deal with Juventus for Romelu Lukaku under severe threat.

The Independent has been told that there is a significant distance between the positions of the two parties, and the Argentine still remains unconvinced whether the move would be a “good step” for his career, especially since this is another season that United are not in the Champions League.

Dybala’s representatives are understood to have quoted the Old Trafford hierarchy £350,000 in wages, but there is as yet no agreement, and he has reservations about their ability to return to the top level.

Those close to the player insist he is not motivated by money, and it is all about what is good for his development, and his ability to win major trophies.

Some sources have suggested, for United’s part, that they have been unwilling to go all out in wages in the manner they have on previous big targets because of lessons learnt there.

The Alexis Sanchez contract remains a present problem, and United’s staff have been trying to figure out where Dybala would fit in.

The 25-year-old is back in Turin with the Juventus team while his representatives negotiate with United, and was due to meet manager Maurizio Sarri and sporting director Fabio Paratici on Thursday afternoon to discuss his future.

Although it has been made clear to Dybala that the club need to sell players and he is seen as the biggest potential windfall, with that initially putting him off, he would still rather stay.

He also been encouraged that Sarri himself would have a more open approach if any player is willing to dig in and play for him.

Dybala’s ultimate goal would be to leave for one of the big Spanish two in Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Tottenham Hotspur do hold some appeal due to their recent Champions League progress under fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino.

United currently do not have that selling point, but negotiations are ongoing.

Some on Dybala’s side also feel that the idea of a swap with United for Lukaku was broached to put pressure on Inter, who are interested in the Belgian but currently well short of the asking price.