Manchester City were on the verge of signing Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon after agreeing to a £400,000-a-week deal. However, the legendary goalkeeper performed a dramatic last-minute U-turn, choosing loyalty to his boyhood club Juventus instead.
THE STORY:
Gianluigi Buffon, considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, could have been wearing the famous Manchester City shirt under Abu Dhabi United Group’s ownership. According to reports, Man City had a lucrative deal worth £400,000 a week on the table for the Italian legend, but Buffon turned it down just moments later.
Buffon, who retired in 2022 at the age of 45, made 176 appearances for Italy and won the 2006 World Cup. His illustrious club career saw him make almost 700 appearances for Juventus and win 10 Serie A titles. In addition to his time with Juventus, he spent one season with Paris Saint-Germain and later returned to Parma for a brief stint before retiring.
Back in the early days of City’s ownership under the Abu Dhabi United Group, Mark Hughes’ assistant manager, Mark Bowen, recalled a trip to Turin to try and lure Buffon to the Premier League. Bowen, Hughes, and City’s then-chief executive Garry Cook made the trip by private jet, fully confident they could seal the deal.
During the meeting with Buffon and his agent, they reportedly shook hands on a deal worth around £400,000 a week. However, upon returning to Manchester, they received shocking news: Buffon had changed his mind.
KNOW THIS: Since his retirement from playing professional football, Gianluigi Buffon has decided to stay on working with the Italy squad as team manager.
THE U-TURN:
Bowen shared his experience on The Business of Sport Podcast,* saying:
“We actually flew by private jet to Turin to speak to Buffon. Garry Cook, Mark [Hughes], and myself. The plane lands, Buffon comes in with his agent. We sat down, Garry offered him, I think, around about 400 grand a week.
“We shook hands on everything. Literally an hour later, we jumped back on the plane from Turin to fly back. We got off the plane and as we get into the terminal, Garry Cook’s looked at his phone and he’s gone, ‘Jesus Christ.’
“What’s that, Garry? He said, ‘The player’s turned around and said no, he thought about it. Sorry. I can’t move, this is my club, my boyhood club. I’m staying here.’”
Hughes and Bowen were reportedly left stunned by Buffon’s decision, especially after their costly trip and the offer they believed was sufficient to tempt the legendary goalkeeper to the Etihad.
WHY BUFFON SAID NO:
Despite being offered one of the most lucrative contracts in Premier League history at the time, Buffon chose to remain loyal to his boyhood club, Juventus. His decision speaks volumes about his commitment to the club he spent nearly 20 years representing.
Buffon would later retire in 2022 after a stellar career defined by loyalty, consistency, and world-class performances.
CITATIONS:
Report from The Business of Sport Podcast and Mark Bowen’s account
Historical context on Buffon’s career at Juventus and PSG
£400,000 weekly salary offer reported by Mark Hughes’ management
KEEP IN MIND:
Buffon’s decision reflects his legendary loyalty to Juventus, despite a massive financial incentive.
Manchester City could have had a very different history had this deal gone through.
Buffon’s story reminds us how football isn’t just about money but about personal connections and history.
