Buffon and Arsenal biding their time?

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is ready for a new challenge in Serie B next season and won't be moving away from Juventus.

It was rumoured that the most expensive goalkeeper in the world was considering a move to Arsenal, but according to the player's agent, the deal was fraught with complications.

However, Silvano Martina has revealed that even though Juventus have been demoted to Serie B, Buffon will stay at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

Martina said: "Gigi is staying with Juventus. He's ready to play in Serie B.

"The club said what any club would have, Buffon is an international and they could sell him for a vast fee.

"Gigi has never won the Serie B title and he is ready to try."

The player's shock decision to remain with the relegated club has fuelled speculation that Arsenal and Buffon are biding their time before a move to London in 2007.

Buffon's current valuation will be much lower then when Juventus have gone a second season without Champions League football and possibly, without promotion back to Serie A, as they start their Serie B season on -30 points.

it was highly unlikely anyway that the Italian was going to move to London to compete with Jens Lehmann for the number 1 jersey.

A move in 2007 would be better, in a season when Lehmann could be deemed too old to continue being the Arsenal goalkeeper.

User Comments

hypeman

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 06:32 PM - Reply

I agree! 2007/08 would be the perfect time for Buffon to arrive at Arsenal. I think his age will be 29 then, 3/4 yr deal = 32/33 still leaves the possibility of a further big move or new contract. I think he will stay with Juve, If by mid January Juve dont look on for promotion the move to Arsenal could happen. By waiting till January he also gets to see if he wants to join Arsenal, ie by if they doing well or not? Another reason for the move not happening will be 'The Jens Lehman Factor' If Jens is playing out of his skin would Buffon get in the team? If he waited till 2008 Jens Lehman wont be a factor. Another twist to think about! As opposed to his value going down. What if Juve got back up due to his herorics would his value not sky rocket? If he loves the club he'd want to secure them as much as possible say 13/14 million, which after a season at their new stadium and possible silverware shouldn't be any financial hardship?

Jame-o

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 06:13 PM - Reply

Lehmann is already too old. A club like Chelsea wouldn't even play him in the reserves. I think that Arsenal are not making the most of their current opportunities. Arsenal have plenty going for them at the moment, especially with the new stadium, and should be taking advatage of the situation by signing the few quality players required to complete the squad and give us the opportunity to challenge on all fronts. Buffon and Kolo Toure would provide the perfect experience and leadership for the youngsters in defence, and the new central defender we NEED to sign. I still think that Lehmann has another year left in him, but if we can get a long term successor of the quality of Buffon, you can't miss out on opportunities like that!

enchi

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 04:16 PM - Reply

Just try to buy him immediatly, at this time he is the best goalkeeper on world.

doubts

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 03:22 PM - Reply

I'm assuming all this is based on your assumptions?

Waf

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 02:57 PM - Reply

I think we give little credit to Lehmann. He's been sensational in the later stages of last season for us. I'd prefer him to remain No. 1.

After all, a goalie is as good as his defence, as proved by the Chelsea goalie. He was exposed by his defence n never looked comfortable at all. So, Lehmann is the man for me.

Havin 2 good goalies in a team rarey works well. So let Buffon wait. If he goes elsewhere next season, we can get others.

Anthony

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 12:38 PM - Reply

Let us just hope and pray

Redtop

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 09:17 AM - Reply

Next summer Man Utd will also be seriously interested in him as van Der Sar is a similar age to Lehmann. If Arsenal wait a year then Man Utd will outbid us & offer Buffon more money. You have to make signings while you have the opportunity & if Buffon doesnt want to come to England now then he wont want to next summer. So it's either buy now or lose out.

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea