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'Any club would want Buffon' – PSG president hints at deal for Juventus legend

Alphonse Areola’s place as PSG’s number one has been backed by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, but the Ligue 1 champions have not ruled out a high-profile arrival

Any club would want Gianluigi Buffon, but Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insists Alphonse Areola will remain the first-choice goalkeeper at Parc des Princes.

Buffon bid farewell to Juventus as an illustrious 17-year stay in Turin came to an end on Saturday when he made his final appearance for the club in a 2-1 victory over Verona.

The 40-year-old was given an emotional send-off by team-mates, opposition players and fans before Juve celebrated their seventh successive Scudetto at Allianz Stadium.

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A move to PSG has been touted for Buffon – with Goal revealing that the Ligue 1 champions are prepared to offer him a lucrative contract – and while Al-Khelaifi admitted the veteran keeper would be a benefit for any club, he stated PSG will keep the faith with youth product Areola next season.

“Buffon is a fantastic goalkeeper. But Areola is our starter and he will be next season as well,” Al-Khelaifi told L’Equipe.

“You know me well – do you really think I’d tell you which players we are monitoring?

“Now we have Areola. He is our number one for the coming season.

“Buffon is a fantastic goalkeeper, charismatic, a great guy. I’m sure that any club would want him.”