Agent reveals how close Paulo Dybala came to Manchester United transfer

Paulo Dybala was 'one step away' from joining Manchester United last summer, according to football agent Federico Pastorello.

His client Romelu Lukaku had agreed to join Juventus in a potential swap deal involving Dybala last August, but the transfer collapsed when United ended their interest.

Dybala earns €7.5million a year net and wanted a wage hike up to €10m if he were to move to Old Trafford, and sources told the MEN Dybala's agent was demanding an 'extraordinary' fee.

Lukaku eventually completed a £73.7million move to Inter Milan in September and United opted against signing a direct replacement in order to prioritise the development of Mason Greenwood.

However, following injury to Marcus Rashford, the club decided to make a deadline day loan move for Odion Ighalo in the January transfer window.

It remains to be seen what would have happened had Dybala made the move to Old Trafford, but Lukaku's agent says the deal relied on the Belgian to make it happen.

When asked if Dybala was only a step away from joining United last year his agent Pastorello told Tuttosport: "It's true.

"Romelu, however, had always hoped to go to Inter because he was impressed by the affection of the Inter fans.”