Like a lamb to the slaughter, Buffon could be sacrificed to allow the cash to flow in for Messi.

Juventus are so serious about signing Barcelona star Lionel Messi they are considering selling Gianluigi Buffon in order to afford the Argentinean striker.

Reports in Italy have been plagued with talk about the Old Lady’s interest in Messi and, what was described as a dream by some papers, could soon become a reality.

Tuttosport claims Juve are considering selling their number one man in order to raise enough cash to tempt the Blaugrana.

Messi is considered to be worth around €75 million by the Spanish side, but he has a €150m buy-out clause on his contract.

However, the Italians could get a helping hand from the Premier League as Manchester City are keen on Buffon. City’s mega rich Arab owners are ready to offer Juve €100m for the ‘Keeper. Therefore a Buffon sale could buy Messi, and the club will still have some change left over to strengthen their defence.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli may reconsider his options on selling his prized asset as the Agnelli family are pushing for Messi. The only problem could be pleasing the fans. A survey conducted by Tuttosport shows 52 percent of Bianconeri would rather keep Buffon than sacrifice him for Messi.

The Turin-based paper seem keen on Messi landing at Juve as they continue to work out the buying strategies. However, there has been no reaction from Barcelona.

Source – Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com