Report: Manchester United defender Vidic in swap for keeper Buffon
April 18, 2010
According to Italian daily Tuttosport, Juventus are prepared to let goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon go to Manchester United in part exchange for centre-back Nemanja Vidic .
Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for a long-term replacement to take over from veteran Edwin Van der Sar . Ferguson has shown little confidence that either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak are good enough to take over the Manchester United goalkeeping mantle.
It was reported last week that Juventus deputy director general Roberto Bettega was in Manchester trying to negotiate a deal for Buffon with either Manchester City or Manchester United . Buffon himself was said to be "annoyed" at reports linking him to a move.
However, the 32 year-old now appears to be resigned to the possibility of a move, telling Tuttosport, “The decision does not depend on Champions League qualification, but we must carry on in these circumstances and at the end of the season we’ll see what happens.”
Tuttosport speculates that Buffon is set to go to Old Trafford in a part-exchange deal involving defender Nemanja Vidic plus £20m.
There has been speculation over Vidic’s United future for much of the season following rumours of a disagreement with Sir Alex Ferguson and frustration over Vidic’s injury problems. However, the Serbian defender has still managed to play 27 games for Manchester United this season, scoring one goal.
http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Report-Manchester-United-defender-Vidic-in-swap-for-keeper-Buffon/7176/