Gianluigi Buffon may not be going anywhere just yet, with the Juventus captain set for at least another year between the sticks as the Old Lady's number one.
Despite this, though, Juve are interested in signing another goalkeeper ahead of next season, with the Italy captain confirming his club's interest in Arsenal stopper Wojciech Szczesny.
Szczesny has impressed during his two seasons on loan at Roma and has now emerged as a target for the Bianconeri.
Advert
With Petr Cech firmly established as Arsene Wenger's first choice goalkeeper, Szczesny won't stand much of a chance of usurping the Czech stopper any time soon.
Advert
However, with Buffon likely to retire at the end of next season the Polish goalkeeper will be presented with an opportunity to become Juve's new number one. A prospect no one would have predicted when he was originally loaned out to Roma, in 2015.
Advert
Speaking ahead of Italy's clash with Liechenstein, Buffon confirmed the plans to bring Szczesny to Turin and discussed his own future a bit further, with AC Milan wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma, also heavily linked with Juve, also coming up in the conversation.
"This could be the last year and I would like to be a protagonist, as I have always dreamed of being.
"A year in which we see the Buffon that pays attention to detail and is eager to make his mark.
"To do that, I have to be important. I will work for this next year.
Advert
"The team goals are a consequence of what you have given and taken throughout the year.
The Juve captain will likely call time on his glittering career at the end of next season. Images: PA
Advert
"I've always been a rational person and I've always looked for the meaning of things. It's right that Juve want Szczesny and that there is a good player like Donnarumma at the national team.
"For me, it will be a great motivation twice because, although I am 39-40 years, I have to maintain my place. If I no longer want to play, I'll stay at home because Donnarumma and Szczesny are good goalkeepers by merit, not because someone gave them something."
A fee of £13 million for Szczesny has been rumoured, although nothing has been confirmed. A move to Juventus would mark a remarkabe reversal of the Polish stopper's fortunes, however, having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates stadium after a lengthy run of patchy form as Arsene Wenger's first choice goalkeeper.
(H/T The Mirror)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Arsenal