Paulo Dybala: Palermo forward would 'swim to Barcelona' despite Manchester United and Chelsea interest

Manchester United target Paulo Dybala has heavily hinted he now has his heart set on a dream transfer to Barcelona.

The Palermo striker is almost certain to leave Italy this summer after a breakdown in his relationship with club president Maurizio Zamparini saw talks over a contract extension fall by the wayside.

Zamparini claimed in January the club had already rejected an approach from Old Trafford and recently admitted the Premier League or Paris Saint-Germain are the 21-year-old's most likely destinations this summer.

With Chelsea and Juventus also heavily linked with the Argentine, Dybala himself has given speculation a fresh twist, suggesting he would have little hesitation in accepting an offer from the Camp Nou.

"I would swim to Barcelona," Dybala told Argentine radio station Radio Belgrano, Corriere della Sera reports. "It is only just across the Mediterranean after all."

Palermo's outspoken president Zamparini has been vocal in discussing interest in Dybala, who has netted 12 Serie A goals this season. Having already likened him to Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Zamparini has talked up a transfer fee of €40m (£31m, $45m) for the player.

"Next year is going to be good for Palermo to be self-sufficient without the need for selling players, like this year when Dybala leaves," he was quoted as saying by the Italian press in February.

"We are going to make a great profit on him, but in view of our accounts, I hope it is the last time [we have to sell a key player]. Big clubs have already called me, both from England and also PSG in France. The lad is very good and we are going to meet and find an agreement with his family and also his agent."

Dybala himself has also not shied away from discussing life after Palermo. Last summer, following reports linking him with a move to Arsenal, the forward claimed it would be "great" to play for the Gunners.

After United and Chelsea's interest was also discussed in January, Dybala later admitted it would be a "dream" to play for Manchester City, completing a quartet of Premier League sides who could be in the running for his signature in the summer.