BUFFON TO STAY AT PARMA
Barcelona have been long-term admirers of the Italian Number One and they have been linked with a move for the highly-rated ace for some time as they search for a top-class goalkeeper to fill the problematic position at Camp Nou.
Richard Dutruel, and Jose Manuel Reina have failed to convince in goal for Barca, while Francesc Arnau, has been missing for most of the season through injury.
The Catalan giants are expected to sign Fiorentina's Francesco Toldo having given up on signing Buffon.
Juventus and current Serie A leaders AS Roma are understood to be keen on the tall keeper, but Buffon has pledged his future to Parma following their qualication for next season's Champions League with victory over Leece last weekend, which secured fourth spot.
The 23-year-old star confirmed that he would not move to Spain and that he was confident he would be staying at Parma after he held talks with the club.
"At the moment it is 70 per cent that I will not leave Parma," said Buffon "The other 30 per cent can be divided between Roma and Juventus. "But Parma are in prime position [to keep me]. I consider Parma a big team and an important club. I will talk with the management at the end of the season, then we will decide.
"I was convinced by the fact that we qualified for the Champions' League, and I hope that we will also compete for the Scudetto in next season. If Parma want me, this means that they are intending to have big campaign next season."
Buffon's claim will be a major boost to the club as they try to build on the current squad for a serious challenge for the Scudetto next season.
The Parma shot-stopper also revealed that he expected club and international team-mate Fabio Cannavaro to stay at the club, but he believed that French defender Lilian Thuram would leave to join Lazio.
It had been reported that had one of the star trio decided to leave that all three could leave, but Buffon feels that no longer is the case and that Thuram will leave on his own.
Thuram had hinted that he expected to leave the club after the club put a £24 million price tag on his head and he had attracted the interest of long-term admirers AC Milan, Juventus and Manchester United.
Cannavaro, who was so impressive during Italy's run to The European Championship's final last summer, was linked with a move to Lazio, but Buffon insists he is ready to stay at Parma.
"I think that Fabio Cannavaro and myself will stay with Parma and that we will lose Lilian Thuram," said Buffon "I suppose he will play for Lazio."
