Gianluigi Buffon was wanted by both Manchester clubs at various points in his career, but the Italian goalkeeping great says he turned them both down.
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Buffon started his career at Parma before going on to immense success at Juventus. He joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer, with the Ligue 1 champions facing Manchester United in their Champions League last 16 second leg clash on Wednesday.
However he says he could have moved to the Premier League with United at the start of his career, or to Manchester City at the peak of his powers.
Speaking to BT Sport, Buffon said: '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. At the time, Parma was my world and I didn't feel like leaving.
'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. They wanted me to be the first signing, but I stayed at Juve.'
Buffon is searching for his first Champions League title, at the age of 40, with PSG on the verge of the quarter finals after beating United 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg.
With Neymar injured, PSG are relying on the firepower of Kylian Mbappe, whose strong personality was praised by his manager, Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel says World Cup winner Mbappe can be tough to deal with, but that his forceful will is an important part of what makes him a top player.
Speaking about Mbappe, Tuchel said: 'Well the guy is hungry, and he is a big personality, really big. So this is not always easy, because the big personality is challenging for me as a coach. At the same time he is a really nice guy.
'It is important he has this personality to challenge me, and everyone around him, because he has the hunger to be really as special player in history.'
SWEEPERKEEPER
0
I must say, I would never imagined Jan Luigi Bufón play for none Italian team ?!. This is like imagining the Colosseum not in Rome?!.
subrat08
1
Feeling sad for this guy for not winning an UCL. Talk about Loyalty , Humbleness or Passion this guy has it all. At the age of 40 still considered as one of the best Goalkeeper in Europe. Not to forget he won the Goalkeeper of the year award at the age of 39. For him age is just a number. One of the best player the game have ever witnessed.!!
Gaza111
1
Buffoon plays for passion.... not for money....
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So true that why in my eyes he is one of the greatest to play the game
Gaza111
1
No he did not because he wanted to make a name for himself in the league we're he was born in
stenco2017
3
if he had gone to Man United he would have won the only trophy missing in his cabinet UCL .
cooklmoptz
3
regret ?
intolerant
2
Shame it never worked out Buffon after Schmeichel and not going through the Bosnich, Barthez, Howard, Taibi years?
landrover
10
Greatest Goalkeeper ever,i love you
Laryngitis
5
Loved him to have come to City. Happy now we have Edison though.
PLApolo
6
This guy is the god of goalkeepers.
Footballfor
0
What a legend of the game
sayantanpatra
6
Buffoon plays for passion.... not for money....
ahnaf00321
4
GIANLUIGI BUFFON IS THE BEST GOALKEPER
foecmpy
8
Goalkeeping God!