Seven Years On, Spurs Finally Set to Land Dybala — and It Spells Trouble for Richarlison

Tottenham aren’t over the line yet, but they’re close enough to taste it. One more point from the final two fixtures and the Premier League box is ticked, freeing Roberto De Zerbi to swing the wrecking ball through a bloated squad and build something that actually looks like his football. No European commitments, a leaner calendar, and—crucially—the green light to chase a long-term crush: Paulo Dybala.

De Zerbi effect: clarity and a summer cull

De Zerbi’s arrival last month has brought urgency and identity. It’s also exposed who fits and who doesn’t. Expect departures—some because the club need to trim without Europe, others because the manager demands technicians who can handle his sharp, high-tempo patterns. The brief is simple: smarter recruitment, fewer passengers.

Dybala back on the radar — seven years in the making

According to reports from Sky Sports, Dybala is prepared to try his luck in England once his AS Roma contract lapses this summer. Spurs know this dance: they struck a £64.4m agreement with Juventus in 2019 before image rights torpedoed the deal. He stayed in Turin until 2022, moved to Roma, and here we are again—older, wiser, and still dripping with class.

At 32, Dybala isn’t the future, but he can certainly shape the present. The Argentine’s left foot remains a wand, his pockets of movement are tailor-made for De Zerbi’s rotations, and he can operate as a false nine or a tucked-in creator. For a squad that’s lacked guile in the final third during an injury-riddled campaign, the fit is obvious.

Why this is bad news for Richarlison

Let’s be blunt: Richarlison’s had moments, but he hasn’t nailed down the shirt. Under the new boss he’s spent more time looking over his shoulder than leading the line. Dybala, even as a free, instantly raises the bar—vision, end product, leadership, and the know-how that comes from a World Cup winner who’s done it on the biggest stages.

For punters eyeing the market talk, our best betting sites hub is worth a look—but the more intriguing wager is Spurs’ summer strategy. Landing Dybala on a free is a low-risk, high-ceiling play that could reset Tottenham’s attack overnight, particularly if De Zerbi surrounds him with runners and presses from behind with structure.

Style fit and the bigger rebuild

Hand Dybala the half-spaces and he’ll give you control and craft between the lines—exactly what De Zerbi craves to tilt matches his way. With a lighter schedule, there’s a pathway to manage his minutes and keep him sharp for the key moments that so often decide tight games.

It also sends a message. If you can move on a few who don’t suit the model and add a ready-made difference-maker without a fee, that’s elite squad management. Seven years after the nearly moment, this feels like the right move at the right time.

What else: the goalkeeper question

Don’t expect the business to stop up front. Spurs will be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer—ball-playing reliability is a must in De Zerbi’s world—along with further tweaks to add press resistance and cutting edge. The mandate is clear: trim, upgrade, and make sure flirting with danger never happens again.

Bottom line: safety first, then ambition. Dybala on a free is the sort of clever, opportunistic signing that can change the tone of a season before a ball is even kicked.