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Juventus Legend Gianluigi Buffon Rejected A ‘Very Big Offer’ To Join Premier League Club

Juventus Legend Gianluigi Buffon Rejected A ‘Very Big Offer’ To Join Premier League Club

Manchester United were not the only Premier League club interested in signing Gianluigi Buffon, according to the World Cup-winning Italian.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to move to a Premier League club after being made a "very big offer."

The 41-year-old Juventus legend attracted the attention of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the past, but he turned down a potential transfer to Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils were not the only club interested in Buffon.

According to the Paris Saint-Germain 'keeper, Manchester City wanted to bring him in following the arrival of Sheikh Mansour as part of their plans to turn the club into the European powerhouse that they are today.

"When I was a boy playing for Parma, Ferguson tracked me closely for two or three years, and he'd always send scouts to watch me," he told BT Sport.

"At the time, Parma was my world and I didn't feel like leaving.

PA

"I later had a very big offer from Manchester City, when they started to build the team and become the most important side in Europe.

"They wanted me to be the first signing, but I stayed at Juve."

Buffon left Juventus last summer after 17 years with the club, in which he made 509 appearances.

The World Cup-winning Italian won multiple titles with the Old Lady, including Serie A, Serie B, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.

PA

Buffon, who came third in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics' 'Best Goalkeeper of 2018,' recently admitted that he dreams of playing for many more years, despite hitting the age of 41.

"I'm still dreaming at 41," he told La Stampa last month.

"When you dream, it's nice to see yourself in so many different situations. I need enthusiasm. Last year, I thought about retiring but it created too much negativity.

"That's why I dream about staying on the field until I'm 80, when I'm an old man in goal with a walking stick and the No 1 on my back."

PA

Of course, Buffon will be hoping to capture one title that has eluded him in his club career with PSG this season: the Champions League.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions host Manchester United at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday for their second-leg match, holding a 2-0 lead on aggregate after their victory at Old Trafford last month.

Will Buffon win the Champions League with PSG this season?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, PSG, Sheikh Mansour, Premier League, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus