Paulo Dybala Set to Leave Roma as Free Agent at End of Season

Paulo Dybala is set to leave Roma as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, according to multiple reports from Italian media. The 31-year-old Argentine World Cup winner has fallen out of favor under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, spending recent matches on the bench as younger players take priority in the starting lineup. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roma have no plans to offer the former Juventus star a new contract, bringing an end to what has been a tumultuous yet memorable chapter in the Italian capital.

The situation represents a dramatic fall from grace for Paulo Dybala, who joined Roma as a marquee free agent signing from Juventus in July 2022 under Jose Mourinho. At that time, he was viewed as a technical leader capable of elevating the Giallorossi to compete for major honors. However, persistent injury problems, inconsistent form, and the appointment of Gasperini have combined to push the Argentine playmaker toward the exit door. His departure will mark the end of an era for Roma supporters who embraced him as one of their own, even as his time in the capital failed to yield the silverware many anticipated.

Reduced Role Under Gasperini

Paulo Dybala’s diminished status at Roma has become increasingly evident since Gian Piero Gasperini took charge ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Argentine has been relegated to a substitute role, with recent reports indicating he was benched for four consecutive matches against Napoli, Cagliari, Celtic, and Como. This represents a stark contrast to his status under previous managers, where he was considered virtually untouchable when fit.

Gasperini has made clear that his team relies on players who are physically fit and best suited to collective play. While the former Atalanta manager has praised Paulo Dybala’s technical qualities, calling him “an extraordinary player” with unmatched quality in Italy, he has also emphasized the need for consistency and reliability—attributes that have eluded the Argentine throughout his Roma tenure. In post-match comments, Gasperini noted that Dybala’s reduced playing time “should serve as motivation” for the player to improve his fitness and form.

The coach’s preference for other attacking options has become clear. Players like Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matias Soulé, Evan Ferguson, and Stephan El Shaarawy have all featured ahead of Paulo Dybala in recent matches. Soulé, in particular, has distinguished himself as one of Roma’s best performers, making it difficult for Gasperini to justify dropping him. The return of striker Artem Dovbyk from injury has further complicated matters, adding another quality option to the attacking rotation that doesn’t include Dybala as a guaranteed starter.

Injury History and Physical Concerns

A major factor in Roma’s decision not to renew Paulo Dybala’s contract centers on his troubling injury record. The Argentine has missed approximately 50 matches over the past three years at Roma, with various muscular problems repeatedly disrupting his rhythm and availability. This season alone, thigh and muscular strains have limited him to just over 200 minutes of playing time across all competitions, preventing him from establishing any momentum.

Paulo Dybala’s latest injury setback came during Roma’s 1-0 loss to Torino in September, when he felt a strain while taking a free-kick and had to be substituted. While Gasperini assured the press that the issue “doesn’t seem too serious,” it represented yet another interruption in what has been the worst season of Dybala’s Roma career. He has scored only one goal in the first 14 Serie A matchdays, a shocking statistic for a player who was once among Italy’s most feared attackers.

The frequency of these physical setbacks has led Roma’s management to seriously question whether Paulo Dybala can be relied upon moving forward. At 31 years old and with a salary of approximately €8 million per year, the Argentine represents a significant financial commitment for a player who cannot stay fit consistently. Sources close to the club indicate that any eventual contract offer would feature a substantially reduced salary, reflecting both his age and injury concerns—terms that Dybala would likely find unacceptable given his status and previous earnings.

No January Departure Expected

Despite the clear trajectory toward departure, Paulo Dybala will not be leaving Roma during the January 2026 transfer window. Multiple sources indicate that the Argentine is expecting a child and wishes to remain in Rome for family reasons during this period. Additionally, Roma director Frederic Massara stated in late October that while the club is aware of the contract situation with Dybala and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, “at the moment, we haven’t started any discussions to negotiate with them.”

The club’s stance appears to be one of patience, allowing Paulo Dybala to see out the remainder of his contract while evaluating their options for the future. Roma are reportedly open to listening to offers if a suitable proposal arrives, particularly given the €12 million release clause for foreign clubs that becomes active between January 1-15. However, no concrete interest has materialized thus far, and Dybala himself has shown no desire to leave mid-season, especially with his family situation taking priority.

This decision to wait until summer makes strategic sense for both parties. Paulo Dybala will be able to leave as a free agent, potentially commanding higher wages from his next club without a transfer fee involved. For Roma, allowing his contract to expire naturally avoids the public relations difficulties that would come from forcing out a beloved figure mid-season. It also provides time to properly identify and negotiate with potential replacements rather than making rushed January signings.

Potential Destinations

Several clubs have been linked with Paulo Dybala as potential destinations when he becomes a free agent in summer 2026. The most prominent rumor involves a romantic return to Argentina, specifically to Boca Juniors, where his former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes is reportedly the main driver of the operation. Argentine media have suggested that while a January move seems unlikely, a summer transfer to the Xeneizes could become realistic once Dybala is free of contractual obligations.

Brazilian giants Flamengo have also expressed interest in Paulo Dybala, with reports indicating they are preparing a two-year contract with an option for an additional season. The Rio de Janeiro club views the Argentine as a marquee signing who could elevate their squad to compete for major honors. However, Dybala’s salary demands may prove challenging, even for a club of Flamengo’s financial stature.

Turkish side Galatasaray showed strong interest earlier in the season, with Paulo Dybala’s agent Carlos Novel traveling to Istanbul for discussions. The Turkish club reportedly offered €10 million per year to tempt the Argentine, but Dybala made clear his preference to remain in Rome rather than move to Turkey. Interest from Major League Soccer clubs has also been mentioned, following the trend of established European stars moving to North America for the latter stages of their careers.

Como 1907, managed by Cesc Fàbregas, represents an intriguing Serie A option. The ambitious newly-promoted side has followed Dybala’s situation closely and could offer him the chance to remain in Italy while taking on a leadership role at a project building for the future. The presence of Fàbregas as manager might prove a crucial factor in persuading Dybala to stay in Serie A rather than moving abroad.

The Saudi Arabia Decision

One of the defining moments of Paulo Dybala’s Roma career came in August 2024, when he dramatically rejected a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. The Saudi club had offered Dybala a reported €75 million deal spread over three years (approximately €20 million per season), making him another marquee name in the Middle East alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Qadsiah was even willing to exceed his €12 million release clause to secure his services immediately.

The private plane chartered by Al Qadsiah remained in Rome for three days while Paulo Dybala deliberated over the offer. In an emotional interview on the Los Edul YouTube channel, the Argentine opened up about his decision-making process, admitting the figures were staggering but ultimately choosing to stay for his family, the city of Rome, the team, and his desire to return to the Argentina national team. He acknowledged, “It’s not as easy as it seems — it changes everything. It’s true, and I won’t lie, the figures are mentioned, but when you see them written on a piece of paper — that if you sign it, it’s yours — so many numbers go through your mind.“

Roma fans vandalized a wall at the club’s training center when the Saudi move seemed imminent, protesting what they viewed as a betrayal. However, Dybala’s decision to stay was met with jubilation and reinforced his status as a fan favorite. That decision now appears bittersweet, as Paulo Dybala finds himself marginalized just over a year later, with his Roma career apparently ending not in glory but in gradual decline.

Lack of Silverware at Roma

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Paulo Dybala’s time at Roma is the complete absence of trophies. Despite joining a club with European ambitions and playing under high-profile managers including Jose Mourinho and Daniele De Rossi, the Argentine has failed to win a single piece of silverware during his time in the capital. This stands in stark contrast to his trophy-laden spell at Juventus, where he won multiple Serie A titles, Coppa Italia trophies, and became one of Italian football’s most decorated players.

Roma have not won a major trophy since 2001, with the club’s inability to break through against Italy’s traditional powerhouses a source of frustration for supporters. Paulo Dybala was brought in specifically to help end that drought, but injuries and inconsistent team performance have prevented the breakthrough. Roma finished fifth in Serie A last season under Claudio Ranieri, securing European football but falling well short of the Scudetto challenge many hoped Dybala would inspire.

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