Chelsea have bid for Paulo Dybala but Juventus in pole position to sign him, says intermediary

Paulo Dybala: Set to leave Palermo at end of season

Chelsea have bid for Palermo's Paulo Dybala but Juventus are leading the race to sign the forward, according to one of his intermediaries.

A host of top European sides are in pursuit of the 21-year-old, who has exploded on to the scene in Serie A this season.

Palermo have already expressed their intention to cash in on the young Argentine and Gustavo Mascardi, who is one of the player’s two main intermediaries, says he and his associate are meeting with several clubs to discuss the forward’s future.

Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: "Myself, (his other agent Pierpaolo) Triulzi and (Palermo president Maurizio) Zamparini are working in sync. Afterwards it will be seen. Now I am in Madrid. On Wednesday I was in Paris. During these days I am undertaking many interviews for Dybala.

"Triulzi is moving between Paris and London to listen to offers and afterwards he will assess them with me. The two of us are working in harmony with Zamparini to reach an agreement. Afterwards Dybala will decide."

Mascardi, who says that the player will have the final say over his next destination, says Juve are leading the race to sign the forward, while he revealed that Chelsea have also tabled a bid for his services.

He added: "In the end, Dybala will choose the team in which he sees the best options to grow, and Zamparini will decide if the offer is appropriate for him.

"Juve would not be a bad option for him because he would continue his career in Italy for at least two more years. Yes, Juve are in pole position because the boy considers Juve as a good destination, because (Juve general manager Beppe) Marotta is a good friend that has submitted the highest bid for him so far.

"Zamparini is asking for €40m and it seems to me like a fair price. Chelsea presented an offer a while ago, but it was very low."

Mascardi also hinted that he is in Madrid to meet representatives from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

When asked if there is interest in the player from Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, he replied: “Yes, it’s true, he and the best European clubs are interested in him right now.”