Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is “a super big fan” of Roma forward Paulo Dybala but no talks are currently taking place over a potential transfer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

It was reported in the Italian media that the Blues are weighing up whether to trigger the Argentinian international’s €12m (£10m) release clause but, speaking on the ‘Here We Go’ podcast, Romano said:

“The priority of Chelsea is very clear; Moises Caicedo and a midfielder. It’s true that Mauricio Pochettino is a super big fan of Paulo Dybala, he’s always been a fan of Paulo Dybala but the focus, at the moment, for Chelsea is a midfielder.”

Romano went on to say that Chelsea will not be negotiating transfers on multiple fronts this summer, so their current focus is on signing Caicedo from Brighton.

Pochettino has spoken about his admiration of Dybala in the past

Romano is certainly not wrong when he says that Pochettino is a fan of the forward. Speaking about Dybala in 2018 when the forward was still playing for Juventus, he said:

“He’s a great footballer and Juve is a different team when he’s on the pitch and when he’s not. Like Messi, Cristiano and Neymar, he has the ability to give the team lots of alternative options.”

Clearly, Pochettino still holds the 29-year-old in very high regard, but it remains to be seen whether he will become a top target for Chelsea.

Chelsea have alternative options

It has been suggested to Dybala could be recruited as a potential replacement for Mason Mount, who left Stamford Bridge for Manchester United earlier this week.

However, it is believed that the Blues may be eyeing a move for Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga to fill that void. The Spaniard would cost more than Dybala, having a €40m (£34m) release clause, but he is also eight years younger.

The London club have also been credited with an interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki.