By Fab4.
Arsenal have been declared favourites to sign Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, according to Sky Sport 24. Buffon was linked to Arsenal last week after admitting he could leave the Old Lady after nine years, and England was his preferred destination. Now it seems the press have got the Italian stopper heading to London this summer.
Juventus have endured a terrible season with various managerial and presidential changes affecting the on-field performances. The result has been failure to qualify for the champions league, mainly due to their dreadful defensive record. Several clubs including Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with Buffon, but with Van Der Sar still going strong at United, and City missing out on champions league football, Arsenal must be in pole position from the England contenders.
As ever with Arsenal, price will prove to be the major stumbling block to any transfer. Buffon will command a large fee for sure and will want hefty wages as well. With a strict wage structure and frugal management, it still seems unlikely to me that Buffon will end up an Arsenal player. Don’t get me wrong, i would love it if he was our new No1 and wrote an article saying so, but i can’t see Wenger paying the kind of money it would take to sign a goalkeeper the wrong side of 30.
But the rumours are circulating and growing by the day, so you just never know. Perhaps any move for Buffon would include a swap with one of the Arsenal players Juventus have been linked with. Although Wenger is not likely to want to part company with Sagna, Fabregas or Van Persie. Maybe they would take Denilson and Bendtner? Worth a try.
