Ranieri - Buffon is staying put

Italian stopper linked with City move

By Carla Hilton   Last updated: 21st November 2008

Ranieri - Buffon is staying put

Buffon: City link

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has rubbished rumours linking star goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a big-money move to Manchester City.

Reports in both Italy and England suggest City are preparing a phenomenal offer, which could cost them £63million to land and pay the Italian keeper.

It is believed that Buffon could be offered a five-year contract worth £12.5million per season.

Ranieri, though, has been quick to pour cold water over the idea and insists his star player is staying put.

Joke

"Manchester City's offer for Buffon? Well if we wait a bit maybe the number of millions will reach 100," joked the former Chelsea boss.

"At the end of the season we could even reach 150!

"No, joking apart, Gigi remains with us. He will not go anywhere."

Persuasion

The reports come after a statement by Buffon himself earlier in the week, with the keeper saying the right offer could persuade him to leave Juve.

"At the moment a move is not on the cards," Buffon told Gazzetta TV.

"Of course if someone offers £50million to the club I will be the first to tell the directors to sell me.

"I want the best for Juve and with that amount they could reinforce the squad."