TRANSFER: Juventus clear-out won't include Cristiano Ronaldo or Dybala

Despite being linked with Real Madrid and the Premier League, Juventus have informed the Argentina forward that he is in their long-term plans.

New Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo is starting to shape his squad for the 2020-21 season after the Old Lady’s exit from the Champions League and the former Italy international has made it clear that he wants to build his side around Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.

Dybala has been linked with a move away from Turin amid reported interest from Real Madrid and the Premier League but Pirlo has moved to block any attempt to lure the Argentina international away from Juve. During a six-hour meeting with sporting director Fabio Paratici, Pirlo laid out his plans and while Juventus need to sell in order to balance the books neither Ronaldo nor Dybala are on the exit ramp.

There were rumours circling that Ronaldo had been approached by Barcelona last week but his inner circle denied any contact and said that the Portuguese intends to remain in Turin. Now it appears that Dybala has received word from the Juve board that he is firmly in Pirlo’s plans and will be persuaded to stay at the Serie A club with a new contract offer on the table. The forward’s current deal expires in 2022 but he is expected to put pen to paper on a new agreement in October when the transfer window closes.

Dybala a key player at Juve despite exit talk

Dybala was instrumental in Juve’s Scudetto success, bagging 17 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions. His absence for the Champions League elimination at the hands of Lyon did not go unnoticed by his employers, who were also impressed by his commitment in playing the final 13 minutes to try and rescue the game despite carrying an injury.

The Argentinean almost moved to Manchester United a year ago but the Juve hierarchy are not going to allow any suitors this summer as they instead look to the wider squad for potential sales. After the departure of Blaise Matuidi to Inter Miami on a free transfer and Miralem Pjanic to Barça, Douglas Costa, Federico Bernardeschi, Daniele Rugani, Mattia Perin, Mattia De Sciglio, Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuaín are all likely to be made available for transfer.