Paulo Dybala's deadline-day move to Tottenham seems destined to break down for an unusual reason: the forward's image rights.
Spurs thought they had agreed a £65million deal with Juventus for the Argentina international, having found a way to fund the 25-year-old’s wages, but hurdles still remain.
Juventus reportedly had second thoughts about selling Dybala, but concerns over the player’s image rights deal have proven the most troublesome.
Unlike Premier League players, Dybala's image rights are not owned by his club Juventus but by a third party – the Malta-based Star Image Company, who are demanding a multi-million fee to relinquish them.
Star Image are owned by Dybala’s former agent, Pierpaolo Triulzi.
The situation is said to be a legal minefield and, although Spurs explored the possibility of sorting the image rights after completing the transfer, that seems impossible.
Juventus are also said to be reluctant to lose the forward without signing a replacement.
