Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon will leave Turin at the end of the season and the experienced goalkeeper is willing to move abroad in search of more playing time as he nears the end of his career.
The 43-year-old has only played ten in all competitions for I Bianconeri this year, and with his contract to expire in the summer, he is now assessing his options for the 2021/22 campaign.
According to La Gazzetta, Buffon has decided to leave Juventus and is prepared to stay in Italy or even see himself abroad to secure the role of first choice in a top European team.
Buffon will leave Juventus this summer | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
This is still the top of the World Cup winner’s priority list, as he has grown tired of playing second fiddle in Turin in recent seasons. His performances in the Coppa Italia, where Juve have reached the final, prove that he still has the hunger and ability to compete at the highest level despite his forward-looking years.
In fact, many have suggested that he may decide to retire if he cannot find a suitable home after leaving the Italian giants, but Buffon himself feels physically strong and is not ready to put on his gloves yet.
Juve have not put a concrete offer on the table for him to extend his time in Turin, and as it looks, there are no major European clubs looking for a new first-choice goalkeeper, which means that his options are very limited.
Buffon may consider retiring if he does not want to find a starting point across Europe Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
The hypothesis of a summer move to Porto has been mentioned, where he would follow in the footsteps of colleague Iker Casillas, who left Real Madrid to join the Liga NOS side in 2015. However, that possibility remains in the air.
Buffon clearly feels the importance of leaving Juventus, and given his strong emotional connection to the club and his great relationship with President Andrea Agnelli, he does not want this situation to play out in public.
The future of the Italian legend is still uncertain at the moment, and only time will tell whether he lands one last dream move or decides to give up the game for good.
