Paulo Dybala has opened up on just how close he was to leaving Juventus in the summer.
The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, only for a reported deal to fall through at the last minute. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via The Daily Mail), a deal was so close that the player had already filmed a goodbye message to the Italian club.
Reports suggested that it was a problem with the player's image rights which meant the deal did not go through.
Manchester United were also linked with a move for the Argentine, but again a move didn't materialise, meaning that the forward would remain at Juventus for at least another six-months.
However, the player has now spoken about the exit that nearly was.
"I was close to leaving,” he told the Guardian. “That was in the club’s thinking, I knew. Until the last minute, we were waiting.”
Dybala has since thrived under new manager Maurizio Sarri, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season, prompting rumours that he could be in line for a new deal.
The player has not given much away on what the future may hold for him.
“I have two years left on my contract. That’s not a short time but it’s not a long one either," he added.
"We’ll see what plans Juventus have, if they think I might leave in the next market or if they want me to stay. That’s a decision for the club to make. It’s hard to know because things change in a second.
“But I’m here, at a club that has treated me well; I’m happy, comfortable. [Maurizio] Sarri’s arrival has helped. He wanted me to stay, which gave me strength when we didn’t know what would happen. I knew he could teach me, help me bring out the best in myself.”
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