Maurizio Zamparini, the Palermo president, is one of Italian football's great showmen. But when he talks Paulo Dybala - people listen.

Zamparini has declared his young striker "in two years will be better than Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic" and upon landing him from Instituto declared "We have signed Paulo Dybala – the new Sergio Agüero".

And he should know, having brought the likes of Javier Pastore, Edinson Cavani and Abel Hernandez to Europe before selling them on for huge profits.

Southampton have been monitoring Dybala, dubbed 'La Joya' in Argentina, since the start of the season, where their plugged-in football department carried on their scouting from last season's successful Serie B promotion campaign.

But it's emerged in Sicily that Arsenal and Benfica have stepped in this past week to open talks with Zamparini over a fee for the 21 year-old.

The Palermo supremo is no pushover and is convinced Dybala can prove a shrewd, long-term, investment: "He's our jewel. If you want him, it'll take $50 million (€42 million) to get him!"

Dybala laughs off the price, insisting he's just happy to have the support of his president.

"€42 million? Right now this is silly figure. There are not many players that are worth as much and I certainly am not among them. But the president loves me and so, you know, when they put a microphone to his mouth he likes to talk!

"What I would do with this figure? I would buy the world!"

Zamparini, though, is not bluffing and adding credence to the Arsenal rumours, he concedes bringing his scouts together in the past week to discuss finding a replacement for La Joya.

"With Dybala, it follows that our policy is the same as we had with Pastore, Cavani, Kjaer and Barzagli. There's been a meeting with my scouts, to which I said 'find me another 2-3 players of this calibre from here until June'. We need to be ready if we must replace him."

And Zampa also could not resist a dig at those who questioned paying €12 million for the Argentine.

"They said the same thing about Javier Pastore ('Shepherd' in Italian). They thought I was buying a German Shepherd!"

The president continued: "He has a little of Messi and a bit of Montella, he is a champion. We know the 'vultures' are hoping for the expiry of his contract (in 2016). Agents will tell him things about things, but he's a smart guy. And since I am, too, among intelligent people, we both understand eachother."

Instituto are anxiously monitoring developments and desperately hoping for a foreign sale.

"I hope his goalscoring form continues in Italy," declared Ricardo Morellato, the Instituto president. The Argentine outfit were late with monthly payments for players and staff last week and money from a sell on fee for Dybala would be richly welcomed.

Instituto, however, will only receive their 2.5 per cent slice if Palermo sell to a club beyond Italy's shores. At Zamparini's valuation, that would mean a massive $1.25 million being poured into Instituto's coffers.

"I will always be grateful to the people of Instituto," says Dybala. "I wouldn't be here without their support. I am eternally grateful and hope to one day return."

Beyond the buzz of the transfer market, Dybala is also the talk of Italian football after national team boss Antonio Conte confirmed he was keen to cap the 21 year-old. Dybala has never played for Argentina - at any level - and significantly turned down selection for the U20s before moving to Sicily.

"It's an honor that the Italian team is interested in me. Italy has won four World Cup and is one of the strongest teams. It gives me pleasure that Conte wants me," said Dybala, who was due to hold talks with the Azzurri coach on the weekend.

"What do I think? Well, I will speak with my family ... It is a delicate decision."

Since meeting with Conte, Dybala has pledged his commitment to Argentina.

Palermo coach Beppe Iachini is happy with Dybala's choice.

"Your home is home, it controls the heart, the heart must decide this. He will have to decide with great serenity based on what he's experienced here, but also growing up as a boy," said Iachini.

"Paulo has grown a lot and can grow even more if he works with humility. And he's grown a lot in terms of individual technique, in terms of his physique. Bravo to him, but we have to grow both in terms of making him a better player."

Motivation has never been a problem for Dybala, who is driven to do his best in honour of his late father. At 15, Dybala lost his father to pancreatic cancer.

“In order to protect me, my parents wouldn’t tell me everything, so I made myself believe he would recover. Sometimes I dream of him at night and every time I wake up in tears.

“His dream was to have a professional football player for a son. I never gave up and today I know my father is proud of me.”