Report: Gigi Buffon Nearing Return to Juventus After 1 Season with PSG

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon is reportedly close to rejoining his old club following a single season at Paris Saint-Germain.

Buffon, 41, left Turin in July 2018 after 17 years with the Bianconeri, but Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio reported he's now ready to head back to the Old Lady:

The veteran stopper held Juve's No. 1 jersey for the entirety of his first stint but would be expected to serve as understudy to Wojciech Szczesny in the event he returns.

The 176-times capped former Italy international had a mixed campaign at the Parc des Princes and made 25 appearances for PSG in all competitions, leaving with a Ligue 1 winners' medal in his possession.

Buffon made 656 appearances for Juve during his first tenure and rejoins a squad that's changed a lot since he left Italy last summer.

Blogger Hashim illustrated some of the key differences to which Buffon will need to adjust:

Maurizio Sarri has taken over at Juventus after Massimiliano Allegri stepped down from their helm after securing an eighth successive Serie A title for the club this past season.

Sportswriter David Amoyal praised the fine work of Szczesny in locking down the club's No. 1 jersey as his own, even with the potential return of a legend like Buffon:

ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson wrote in April that PSG were hoping to tie Buffon down to another two-year deal until 2021. His first contract with the club contained the option of an extra year, but the Italian has opted for a homecoming instead.

Juve's fans will be excited to have such a respected figure back in Turin, with Sarri gaining a valuable member for the dressing room ahead of his maiden season in new territory.