'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Buffon's career with Juventus has come to an end. Ever since he joined the Italian club in 2001, the goalkeeper never made a move away from Turin. In his 17 years with the club, the 40-year-old amassed a total of 656 appearances and kept 311 clean sheets in total. Until today, he is regarded as one of the best keepers in the world.
Unfortunately, the world would not get to see the legend in the World Cup this summer. After Italy missed a spot in the group stage of the competition, Buffon announced his heartbreaking international retirement. Earlier this year, he was prepared to come out of retirement if called up for Italy's international friendlies. Nonetheless, for a player of his age, retirement seems imminent. In May 2018, it was confirmed that Buffon would be leaving the club after nearly two decades of service.
Although he will not be playing for Juventus next season, the keeper does not look like he is keen to retire any time soon. There are clubs who remain interested in the experienced footballer and Buffon could soon sign a deal for a new club.
#3 Liverpool
Liverpool's goalkeeping woes were thrown into the spotlight during the UEFA Champions League finals against Real Madrid. Loris Karius' performance was utterly embarrassing. It further emphasized the need for the Reds to recruit a new and reliable goalkeeper in the summer. Buffon is currently a free agent after leaving his old club and can be a good fit for the Liverpool team.
If Liverpool is unable to identify a good available goalie in the market this summer, the club should definitely sign the former Juventus man. BBC sports pundit Andy Townsend believes that he is good enough to be Liverpool's first choice keeper for one or two seasons. The Merseyside club has been targetting Alisson Becker from Roma, but the Brazilian born keeper is going to be pretty costly for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Buffon brings with him lots of experience. Even though he has never played in the English Premier League, it is difficult to fathom that he will struggle against Premier League sides. After decades of action in UEFA Champions League and on the international stage, he has become a goalkeeper who has seen all kinds of players. His experience will surely help Liverpool at the back and propel the club towards a title challenge next season.
#2 West Ham
Amidst all the transfer rumors surrounding Buffon, his agent has fuelled speculation that the player is keen to join West Ham. Nothing beats getting a world-class keeper before the start of next season and that is exactly what the Hammers need in order to get prepared for the future.
The East London club conceded 68 goals in total this season. Both senior keepers were unable to put up consistent performances and it even cost former England number one keeper, Joe Hart, his World Cup spot with the Three Lions. In Buffon's book, he listed West Ham as one of the clubs that he dreams playing for. That surely is a positive piece of news for the club's fans.
The Italian player can be the player who is responsible for instilling some resilience and confidence into the team. Under Pellegrini, there are high expectations of West Ham in the coming season. Signing Buffon could make all the defensive wrongs this season become right.
#1 Paris Saint-Germain
As of 30th May 2018, the most likely destination for the Juventus legend is PSG. Reports say that his arrival in France is imminent and all that is left is Buffon's signature on the contract papers. According to various sources, the Italian will sign a two-year contract and conclude his career with the Ligue 1 Champions.
The French league team already has one of the better keepers from Germany - Kevin Trapp. However, the once first-choice keeper has lost his position to French international Alphonse Areola. In the previous summer transfer window, Areola claimed that his club is searching for a new goalkeeper. With Thomas Tuchel now the new manager, he could proceed on with the earlier recruitment plans.
The odds of Buffon joining Les Parisiens are high. They have had an illustrious history of winning trophies just like Juventus. At the same time, playing in Ligue 1 is less intensive and challenging as compared to the English Premier League, where there are plenty of uncertainties and surprises. Hence, PSG seems the most likely destination for Buffon.
Where do you think Gigi Buffon will end up? H
