Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli ‘to have decisive meeting over dinner with Gianluigi Buffon about extending his stay in Turin’ as 43-year-old goalkeeper ‘considers move away’ before retiring in next few years
- Juventus reportedly set for ‘decisive talks’ with Gianluigi Buffon over his future
- Reports in Italy suggested the veteran goalkeeper is considering a move away
- However, Juve chief Andrea Agnelli wants to keep Buffon for another season
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli will reportedly hold talks with Gianluigi Buffon over dinner this week in a bid to keep the veteran goalkeeper at the club for another year.
Buffon, who turned 43 earlier this year, has spent 19 out of the last 20 seasons in Turin – making 681 appearances in all competitions for the Old Lady overall but is reportedly considering a second move away before retiring.
Reports in Italy last week suggested that the veteran goalkeeper will weigh up a move away from the Allianz Stadium with his contract expiring this summer.
Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli (right) is set for ‘decisive talks’ with Gianluigi Buffon (left) over his future
However, according to Tuttosport, Juventus are keen to keep on their iconic keeper and want him to stay for at least another season, with his meeting over dinner with Agnelli viewed as ‘decisive’.
The report goes on to suggest that Buffon is still viewed as an integral part to the squad, even though he’s had to give up the No 1 shirt to Wojciech Szczesny in recent years.
Buffon was given the nod ahead of the Poland international for Juve’s huge Serie A clash against Napoli on Wednesday, which saw Andrea Pirlo’s men run out 2-1 winners and reclaim a spot back in the top three.
Buffon starred in Juve’s huge league game against Napoli – which Pirlo’s men won 2-1
Buffon (right) has had to surrender the No 1 shirt to Wojciech Szczesny (left) in recent years
Pirlo revealed after the game that the plan was always for Buffon to play the cruch match, with Szczesny returning from international duty.
‘It was something I had already prepared,’ Pirlo admitted afterwards.
‘There has been criticism towards Szczesny after the last game and I told you he would play anyway.
‘However, I had already talked to him, he was tired after having played many games, with his national team too. He needed a break to start again. He remains the Juventus starter.’
Juventus are yet to lose this season when Buffon has donned the gloves – winning nine of the 11 games he’s played in.
Pirlo (middle) insists Szczesny remains his No 1 but remains close with his former team-mate
Buffon has won 11 league titles with Juventus along with four Coppa Italia triumphs and three Champions League runners-up medals during his 19-year stint at the club.
The World Cup winner also recently revealed he has no intention of retiring from the game just yet and wants to carry on playing for another two years.
‘Look, in my head, there truly is a final stop sign, a maximum bar, which is June 2023,’ Buffon said in an interview with The Guardian.
‘That is the maximum, really, really the maximum. But I could also stop playing in four months.’