Juventus Eyeing Jan Oblak As Gianluigi Buffon’s Long-Term Replacement

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Juventus have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Gianluigi Buffon, but are already preparing for life without their star shot-stopped. Buffon is already 39 and will be 40 at the end of the season, and all signs indicate he will retire at the end of the current term.

Therefore, Juventus know they need to find a proper replacement sooner than later. And according to several reports coming out of Spain, Massimiliano Allegri has already chosen Atletico Madrid‘s Jan Oblak as Buffon’s replacement. And The Old Lady are keen to make a move for Oblak as soon as the transfer window opens next year.

The idea would be to sign Oblak before the start of the 2018-19 season, as Buffon is likely to retire after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Both parties have already got in touch, but it remains to be seen whether Atletico Madrid want to part ways with their star goalkeeper. Oblak is only 24, so he could certainly become the starting goalkeeper for the next 10 to 15 years if he ends up arriving at Juventus stadium.

However, Atletico are not going to give Oblak away. The Slovenian international is under contract with Los Colchoneros until June 2021, and has a €100 million release clause in his latest deal. So Juventus will have to blow Atletico away in order to steal one of the best goalkeepers in Europe at the moment. But since talks are still in early negotiations, there is enough time to things done before the current season ends.

Oblak has won the Zamora Trophy in each of the past two seasons with Atletico, conceding just 39 goals in 67 league appearances over that span.