Juventus say Buffon not heading to Manchester

(GETTY IMAGES)

Juventus director Roberto Bettega insists goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is not for sale and is confident he will still be between the posts for the Serie A giants next season.

Speculation is rife that Buffon is ready to abandon the Bianconeri following another frustrating season.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City as well as Bayern Munich have been linked to the 32-year-old but Bettega claims Buffon - who has made nearly 350 appearances for Juve - is going nowhere.

"The team will certainly not let itself be distracted by these things," the deputy general manager told the official club website.

"With regards to what was written about a supposed transfer of Buffon I would like to reassure the fans: Gigi is untouchable, he will stay at Juventus."

Buffon has been an indisputable first-choice goalkeeper for both club and country since moving to Juve in 2001.

He stuck by the club when they were relegated to Serie B following the match-fixing scandal but the World Cup-winning goalkeeper has reportedly become increasingly disillusioned.

Alberto Zaccheroni replaced the sacked Ciro Ferrara in January but little has changed and the Bianconeri are sixth in the Serie A standings following defeat at Sampdoria last weekend and a draw against Siena the previous week, where they let slip a three-goal lead.

They also crashed out the Europa League with a 4-1 defeat to Fulham.

Buffon is under contract with the Bianconeri until June 2013.