Buffon snubbed Milan switch

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he almost left the club following their relegation from Serie A just over two years ago.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently sidelined by a groin injury, had been a target for AC Milan after helping Italy to World Cup glory in the summer of 2006.

However, Buffon eventually remained loyal to Juve and helped them bounce back to the Italian top-flight at the first attempt.

He told Gazzetta.it: “I am very bound to Juventus and from the moment I agreed to stay after relegation, I felt part of a project.

“Now I could never play for another Italian team except for Genoa, who I am a big fan of. But I can confirm that I was close to Milan, but then I decided I wouldn't move.

“I didn't feel right with my conscience and I need to be calm to do my best. These considerations wouldn't have come up had Juventus stayed in Serie A and there were other things that weren't going right.

“However, if a team offered £40million for me now, I would be the first to say they should sell me. I love Juve and with that sum of money they could galvanise the squad.”

Meanwhile, Buffon has admitted that attempting a comeback from his injury recently set back his recovery, adding: “I've got a tear in my adductor and it's partly my own fault.

“I had already felt a pain when I tried to rush myself back to play against Palermo when the team were having some problems.

“Things got worse and I found myself with a hole in my adductor, which is slowly recovering. That's why I won't be back until January.”

Meanwhile, Serie A strugglers Bologna have bolstered their squad with the signing of former Lazio and Internazionale midfielder Cesar Aparecido.

The 34-year-old Brazilian is a free agent after leaving Inter at the end of last season and becomes the first signing made by new Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Cesar first moved to Italy in the summer of 2001 to join Lazio, joining Inter five years later.

The player himself said after signing up with Bologna: “I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.

“I feel good physically and I am ready to give everything in the battle for salvation. I will now be trying to show my