Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed he is leaving Juventus at the end of the season and his agent, Silvano Martina, has confirmed he has always admired West Ham as he ponders his future.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper is yet to decide whether he will continue playing next season and he could retire now a nine-time Serie A and World Cup winner.
However, the Sun reports that Premier League clubs Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in a deal for the Italian, who is available in the summer.
“In England, he always really admired West Ham supporters, and even wrote about it in his book,” agent Martina told the Sun.
Buffon’s agent was asked specially about reported interest from the Premier League and was unable to name specific clubs, but failed to rule out Premier League interest.
“I can’t name names specifically out of respect for Gigi [Buffon]. He asked me not to mention specific clubs, but he does love England.”
OPINION
Buffon is a true football legend that will go down in the history books for certain and for West Ham fans to be held in such high regard by him is a positive sign. The revelation from agent Martina will now get supporters dreaming the goalkeeper ends up at the London Stadium next season and there is no doubt he could do a job if he kept on playing for the next few years. He has kept 17 clean sheets in 33 appearances this term and is the ultimate professional to still be in great shape at his age. However, there are interested clubs from England chasing him if he decides to prolong hanging up his boots. West Ham would receive a huge buzz if they were to enter the running for such a high-profile name, but in reality he would demand high wages and it isn’t like he is a long-term solution. The Hammers need to sort out their bleak managerial situation and then look to find a younger goalkeeper that can compete with Adrian next season in the first team.
