Dibala joined Rome
On the morning of July 18th, Rome time, according to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Mazio, Dibala just agreed to sign a three-year contract with Rome with an after-tax salary of 6 million US dollars per season. He then immediately travels to Portugal-where Roma are training to prepare for the new season-for a medical.
Mourinho was an important catalyst to help complete this recruitment. These days, he has called many times to persuade Dibala to join Rome. The 59-year-old has promised that the forward will be at the centre of the team's plans in the near future.
Not only Mourinho, but also many influential figures in Rome have contacted Dibala. Roma boss Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan also called the Argentine striker on July 17. They also sent a private jet to take Dibala from Italy to Portugal on July 18.
Before that, former captain Francesco Totti called to lure Dibala to the Capitals. Director Thiago Pinto is in charge of major negotiations with Dibala's representatives, including Jorge Antoine and Fabrizio Devich. Pinto dreamed of attracting Dibala when he was a Benfica director. "For me, Dibala is a little Messi," Pinto told Sky Sports Italia on the morning of July 18.
Dybala grew up at instituto club in Cordoba, Argentina. The 29-year-old striker moved to Europe to play for Palermo in 2012, before joining Juventus in the summer of 2015. After seven seasons in Turin, he scored 115 goals in 293 games, but failed to reach an agreement to extend with Juventus, and left as a free agent.
Rome will become the fourth music department of Dibala's career. The striker is the 38th Argentine player in Roma history, which includes famed striker Gabriel Batistuta.
Dybala once wanted to continue playing in the Champions League, but he chose Roma anyway, although this team will only play in the Europa League next season. Before that, Napoli were also said to be pursuing Dibala, but failed.
After Totti retired, Dibala's favourite No.10 jersey was not worn in Rome. The No.21 jersey he once wore is also owned by Rome, belonging to rookie midfield Manja Matic.
