Paris Saint-Germain have offered a contract to Gianluigi Buffon, a source close to the French club has said.
Buffon has announced that he will leave Juventus at the end of the season but not retire, and will play his final match for the club against Hellas Verona on Saturday evening.
According to the source, PSG have put a two-year contract on the table and the 40-year-old is believed to be tempted to continue his playing career, therefore doing a U-turn on his original retirement plans.
The French champions already have goalkeepers Alphonse Areola and Kevin Trapp on the books but talks between sporting director Antero Henrique and new coach Thomas Tuchel have indicated they want to strengthen in that position.
Trapp is expected to be sold this summer, with academy graduate Areola staying at Parc des Princes. Buffon would be brought in primarily because of his experience and character.
Henrique and Tuchel believe that Areola can establish himself as PSG’s undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper in the long-term, but this season has shown that the 25-year-old still has to improve.
Buffon is seen as the perfect mentor and Areola would be prepared to share playing time in order to learn from one of his idols.
The source explained that opportunities to sign players with Buffon’s combination of experience and ability are rare and with UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) still a consideration, PSG see an opportunity to strengthen without big expenditure.
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