The 32-year-old Argentine forward, known as La Joya, has spent four seasons at the Stadio Olimpico since arriving from Juventus in 2022 on a free transfer, contributing 45 goals and 26 assists in 135 competitive appearances.
But persistent injury problems — including a tendon tear in March 2025 that kept him sidelined for more than 100 days — have made a renewal increasingly unlikely, with AS Roma unwilling to continue paying wages reported at close to €250,000 a week for a player who has managed just 22 appearances this season.
Boca Juniors president Juan Román Riquelme, himself a club legend and one of Argentina's greatest ever players, has been driving the pursuit. The Buenos Aires club have prepared a contract and ring-fenced funds for the deal, with a formal move anticipated following the conclusion of the World Cup in July, reports ESPN Argentina.
The key driver behind the scenes has been Leandro Paredes, Boca's central midfielder and Dybala's close friend and former Roma teammate, who has been in regular contact with Dybala and has been open about his desire to see the forward join him at La Bombonera.
Dybala has scored four goals in 40 international appearances for Argentina and is a declared Boca supporter. Roma have not offered a contract extension, and no rival club has emerged with a comparable proposition.