Buffon names the two Premier League clubs he has rejected

Gianluigi Buffon has claimed that he rejected both Manchester clubs at different stages of his career.

Buffon says that he turned down the advances of Manchester United during his time at Parma, where he spent ten years and established himself as one of Italy’s leading goalkeepers.

“When I was a boy playing for Parma, Ferguson tracked me closely for two or three years, and he’d always send scouts to watch me,” he told BT Sport.

“At the time, Parma was my world and I didn’t feel like leaving. ”

After becoming the most expensive shot-stopper in history upon his move to Juventus in 2001, Buffon won nine Serie A titles and four Coppas Italia.

But he says he again had the chance to move to Manchester, this time turning down City as they embarked on their quest for world domination.

“I later had a very big offer from Manchester City, when they started to build the team and become the most important side in Europe,” he said.

“They wanted me to be the first signing, but I stayed at Juve.”