Could Gianluigi Buffon leave Juventus for Atalanta?

This weekend, Juventus have a big Serie A clash with Atalanta. Their opponents are just one point behind them in the table, sitting in fourth to Juve’s third. The Bianconeri recently won a crucial match against Napoli in another battle for the top four, but Atalanta could be a bigger challenge.

Their future Coppa Italia Final opponents, Juve have not beaten Atalanta in their last two matchups.

But Atalanta are interesting to Juventini for more than just Sunday’s game. The Bianconeri are closely monitoring left midfielder Robin Gosens, who could be a game-changing acquisition for Fabio Paratici and Co.

Gosens isn’t the only player who could switch between clubs, though. According to a report from La Repubblica, via JuveFC.com on Twitter, Gianluigi Buffon could end his career with Atalanta in the Champions League if Juventus were to acquire Gianluigi Donnarumma on a free transfer.

Ideally, Gianluigi Buffon would stay with Juventus as a backup

Donnarumma’s and Buffon’s futures almost seem intertwined at this point, though Wojciech Szczesny could also make way for Donnarumma. The latter is younger, has more potential, and may arguably be slightly better.

Nicolo Schira has also linked Buffon with a move to Atalanta. He states that Gian Piero Gasperini is a fan of Buffon’s (well, who isn’t?) and that Buffon could replace Pierluigi Gollini in goal if Gollini made a move to Roma.

Gianluigi Buffon has been good this season for Juventus, and, in an ideal world, he would remain with the Bianconeri and retire with them. But his goals may be different. For their part, Juve’s goals may be different as well. Yet if Juve do sign Donnarumma and make the aggressive move to capitalize on signing a rival’s star player – and a future elite goalkeeper – for free, then surely he would not be on the bench. Surely Buffon would make more sense as the backup, while Szczesny would be the one to move on, maybe even to Dortmund.

We will have to see the rumors that unfold. Buffon has 6 clean sheets in 10 career appearances against Atalanta. Will he take his talents to Bergamo? It seems plausible, but if his goal is to actually win the Champions League, maybe there are other options for him. But maybe, his priority is to start, since he is still a starting-caliber keeper despite being 43 years old.