Juve to keep Aquilani and Buffon: Marotta

(GSM) – Juventus say they are ready to sign Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool at the end of the season while insisting there are no plans to sell goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Aquilani has impressed since moving from Liverpool on loan and General Director Beppe Marotta expressed Juve’s interest in signing the €16m-rated former Roma midfielder next summer

“We’ve already expressed ourselves on Alberto – we want to take up our option to sign him at the end of the season,” Marotta said.

“We have good reason to believe that he is a fundamental player for the future of Juventus.”

Meanwhile Buffon, who has been out with a back injury since the summer, has been linked with a move away from the club to the likes of Manchester United.

“Although anything can happen in the transfer market, Gigi is a symbol for this team,” Marotta noted. “He’ll stay, as will Aquilani”.

Buffon’s contract with Juventus expires in 2013.