Italy and Juventus legend, Gianluigi Buffon has revealed he turned down offers from English premier league greats, Manchester united and Arsenal in the late 90s and in recent times Manchester city as well.
The 38-year-old holds the record as Italy’s most capped player with 154 appearances, winning the World Cup in 2006, and is the still the most expensive goalkeeper ever costing Juve £33million in 2001.
Wenger’s contact with Buffon in 1998 may have been in the pursuit of a long-term replacement for David Seaman who would remain at the club until 2003, while Ferguson was likely searching for the next Peter Schmeichel who left Old Trafford after winning the treble in 1999.
The Juventus number one has been in impressive form and does not look to have grown weary since his heir days and has been the outstanding goalkeeper in Serie A for almost 20 years and has become a legend at Juve since signing from Parma in 2001.
“I remember when I was 20 years old in 1998 I had dinner once with Wenger from Arsenal,’ Buffon told BT Sport. Then when I was at Parma, Manchester United definitely had their eyes on me for a long time with Ferguson.
“Let’s say that the most serious and direct approach I had came in from Manchester City. They wanted to start their adventure by signing two or three more renowned players and I was one of them. That was 2007 or 2008 roughly. However, nothing came of it for various reasons.’
Buffon helped Juventus to a Champions League double over Manchester City in Group D earlier this season, seven years after he says they tried to sign him.
I Turned Down United & Arsenal - Buffon
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