Newcastle United have reportedly made a move to sign Juventus forward Paulo Dybala on a free transfer this summer, according to reports in Italy.

What's the word?

Speaking to CMIT TV (via Sports Witness) Italian journalist Romeo Agresti revealed that the Magpies are the only club to have made a "concrete offer" for the Argentine ace, despite reported interest from the likes of Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur.

Agresti said of the 28-year-old - who is set to depart the Serie A outfit once his contract expires in June - that: “Where is Dybala going? Inter will not take him off. Inter have asked him to be patient, they must be sure to eliminate certain deadwood to free up the salary,” Agresti said.

“But I also keep the Premier League, he has instructed intermediaries to test the waters. Favourite destination? I say Manchester United. But Dybala has received only one concrete offer, from Newcastle. But it doesn’t look like a club that warms the Argentine.”

This follows on from previous reports that suggested that PIF had made an offer for his services, albeit there are lingering question marks over whether he favours a move to the Premier League.

Supporters buzzing

Although it is still far from a done deal, should Eddie Howe and co be successful in their pursuit of the 32-cap international, it would represent the first real marquee arrival of the club's new regime.

The likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes did join in January, although the capture of Dybala would seemingly be a more statement addition and a marker of the rapid progression that the club intends to make in the coming years under their ambitious new owners.

The £220k-per-week man - who joined Juventus from Palermo on a £23m deal back in 2015 - has been one of the most coveted players in world football in recent years, having registered 115 goals and 48 assists in 291 appearances during his time in Turin.

This season, in particular, has been particularly eye-catching for the £36m-rated star, as he has netted ten goals and provided a further five assists in 27 league outings, creating 11 big chances and also averaging an impressive 1.4 key passes per game.

Those remarkable statistics have also contributed to the 5 foot 10 marksman recording a staggering 7.47 average match rating so far this term, the highest of any player in Max Allegri's immensely talented squad.

Previously dubbed "one of the best in the world" by Mauricio Pochettino and "magical" by Dejan Kulusevski, Dybala has also performed superbly in other metrics, ranking in the top 1% for progressive passes and the top 8% for progressive carries among forwards in Europe's top five leagues, showcasing his talent at building attacks, rather than simply finishing them off.

A link between midfield and attack, the creative playmaker could prove to be a real catalyst for Howe's men, with it imperative that they fight off the other suitors to secure his signature. Should they do so, it will understandably leave fans in a state of delirium.

IN other news, Eddie Howe can now help NUFC sign "spectacular" £64m "nightmare", he's better than ASM