Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta says they don’t need to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma, because Wojciech Szczesny is one of the strongest goalkeepers in the world.
Donnarumma is still only 18 years old, but he’s already made 100 appearances for AC Milan.
Juventus would normally look at signing such a top young Italian talent as they go for yet another consecutive league title so obviously there are rumours that they might do so.
However, Marotta says there’s no need, as they have Szczesny.
“We have an icon that is Buffon,” he told CalcioMercato.com.
“An extraordinary goalkeeper and one of the greatest in world history.
“Clearly we have to think that he will end his career, and we have fulfilled this need by taking his successor Szczesny.
“Szczesny is one of the strongest at world and we are happy with him for the future too. Out of the race for Donnarumma? We have never entered it.”
Marotta isn’t the only one to make comments like these in the last week.
On Tuesday, reporters asked Juventus manager Allegri the same question, and he gave the same response.
“Donnarumma to Juventus? Szczesny is Buffon’s successor,” Allegri argued (via CalcioMercato.com).
“I have already said this and I will repeat myself, we have a ton of faith in the Polish keeper.
“I really think that the Juve management made the right call when they decided to acquire him.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans complain most weeks about their goalkeeping options.
Petr Cech played well against Chelsea, although he did fail to save yet another penalty. But he’ll turn 36 in a few months, and can’t have long left at the very top level.
David Ospina is the only alternative, and he always has a mistake in him, however good his reflex saves can be from time-to-time.
The frustrating thing is the Gunners didn’t have to do anything to get Szczesny back this summer.
He was arriving free of charge after a couple of impressive years with a top team in a top-five league.
It’s hard to ask for more than that.
But Arsenal stuck with their current options, and now they’ll reap what they’ve sown.