Blues blank as Buffon wants to stay at Juve
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is unlikely to leave Juventus at
least until next summer, according to his agent.
A member of Buffon's entourage had raised the possibility that the
World Cup winner could move to Chelsea following the long-term
injury to Petr Cech.
However, Silvano Martina, who has represented Buffon for 12 years,
believes such a move is unlikely although he admits the player is
'honoured' with the link and that Juve would be tempted by any
offer.
Martina told PA Sport: 'Officially there has been no contact so
far.
'We are very saddened with what has happened to goalkeeper
Cech.
'It's normal that a great club like Chelsea would show an interest
or would be interested in one of the top goalkeepers in the
world.'
Martina admits that a Chelsea bid would be tempting for
Juventus.
He said: 'If Chelsea were to make an offer it would be very
difficult for any club to reject it.'
However, Martina believes that Buffon remains firmly committed to
the Turin club despite their relegation to Serie B for
match-fixing.
Martina continued: 'Gianluigi's very happy at Juventus. He had lots
of offers in Italy and elsewhere this summer and turned them
down.
'But he made a decision to stay in Turin because he wanted to repay
the club for helping him become famous and being one of the best in
the world.'
Martina was adamant the player would remain with Juve at least
until the summer when he will know whether the club has managed to
win promotion.
'We will obviously be honoured if a club like Chelsea was to make
an offer for Buffon but I can tell you that he will not leave Turin
in January,' said Martina.
'We will obviously have to see what happens at the end of the
season. We obviously hope that Chelsea don't need Buffon because it
would mean Cech has made a quick recovery.
'I have been with Buffon for the last 12 years and having got to
know him well he is one of the best in Italy and arguably the
world.'
Buffon, 28, moved to Juve from Parma in 2001 for a world record fee
for a goalkeeper of £35.5million.
Speculation that Chelsea might move for Buffon was raised when
another member of his entourage, Paolo Fabbri, told The Sun that he
could not rule out a move.
'We are aware (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich can offer fortunes,'
he said.
'What he needs is to convince the player it's the right move for
him. This is not a financial issue, it's about a chance in
life.
'I don't think he wants to leave Italy but things can change
quickly in football
