La Liga giants Barcelona failed with a mega-money bid for Juventus’ star striker Paulo Dybala earlier this summer, the player’s agent has revealed.

The 22-year-old joined the Turin club last summer from Palermo for a reported fee of €40 million, providing nine assists and netting 19 league goals this campaign to become Serie A’s second highest goal scorer.

The Argentine has attracted interest from several elite European clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona and according to the striker’s agent Gustavo Mascardi, the Spanish champions failed with a transfer bid worth around €80 for Dybala, with the player said to be focused on his future at Juventus to acquire maximum playing time.

“When I speak with Paulo, I know that the lad is really on the right track,” Mascardi told Gazzetta dello Sport. “His career at Juventus has only just begun. As for his future, the transfer market can offer a lot of temptations, but Paulo has shown himself to have clear ideas.

“It’s true that in recent months Barcelona were interested in La Joya, I think they made a bid of double what the Bianconeri paid.

“But the player’s first consideration was that it was more important to consolidate his experience at a club which is giving him the opportunity to succeed at the highest levels.”

Nicknamed La Joya (The Jewel), Dybala is dubbed as one of the best young prospects in the game currently and is considered as a genuine contender for the Ballon d’Or award in the near future.

A host of European clubs could be set for an odious tug-of-war for the highly talented striker, if and when Dybala opts to leave Juventus to push on with his outstanding start to his playing career.