[The Green One]

The reason I am putting this here is simply because the possibility of the world transfer fee record being broken for a goalkeeper raises numerous footballing questions. 50m is too much for any footballer, some may argue. The question is, is Buffon so good he justifies being the most expensive player in history? He is head and shoulders above any keeper in the world, the most complete goalkeeper since Schmeichel. City have numerous positions to fill, and Joe Hart is a very good young talent, with many strengths, but Buffon would elevate the side to a statement of intent, and unlike Robinho, would be the capture of a player who isn't desperate to leave his club.

Here's what I want to talk about though. For 50m, I actually think he could well be a bargain. He is 30 years old, and as Italians go, probably has 7-8 years left at his peak. If he's careful, he could play until he's 40 at the top level. Now, that would be a cost of 5m a season. He'd give stability at the back and he can physically carry a team like he has done with Italy on occasions.

So the question is, is Buffon so good to break the world record for? And are goalkeepers generally underrated in the transfer market? Only Buffon has ever commanded an outrageous transfer fee (30m), the second most expensive was Peruzzi for 10.5m, which is nowhere near what teams pay for players these days.

 

[numerodix]

I think the reason you don't see big transfer fees for goalkeepers is because they don't change clubs all the time. They're seen as stabilizers in the team and no team that has a great goalkeeper is willing to sell him unless the circumstances are somehow unpleasant. Buffon would not even have left Parma if not for the fact that they were in financial strife.

Who are the great goalkeepers of today? If you take Buffon, Casillas and Cech then only one of them has changed clubs after he made his mark.

So the consequence is that the goalkeeper transfer market is relatively small in the top shelves and noone really knows how much they are worth.

 

[ekim]

Buffon is not head and shoulders above any keeper in the world,,, hello?! casillas anyone? I think Casillas is better even, though not by much.

That said I do not think Goalkeepers transfer fee's should be nearly as high as out field players..

 

[Newton Gold]

Is Buffon the best keeper in the world? Yes.

Will he go down as one of the greats? Yes.

Is he worth £50m? No.

Will he go to City? Will he fcukin' bollocks.

 

[The Green One]

Buffon is not head and shoulders above any keeper in the world,,, hello?! casillas anyone? I think Casillas is better even, though not by much.

That said I do not think Goalkeepers transfer fee's should be nearly as high as out field players..

Come on, Buffon is definitely a step above Casillas.

 

[The Green One]

I was inspired by this article from the times btw, its quite good.

he turning point in human evolution came when people began to use their hands. When humans first walked upright on the African savannahs, they found themselves in the position of having two limbs freed from the drudgery of locomotion.

Having two hands and two feet, instead of four feet, changed everything. It brought the brain into play, because with hands, a brain had something to work with. Everything followed from this: humans became more dexterous and more clever and, as a result, more dexterous and more clever again.

Hands, as much as brain, define humanity: our nearest relations among the apes must use forelimbs for locomotion; none is fully bipedal. Hands that work as hands 100 per cent of the time define humanity.

Which is, of course why goalkeepers are the most highly evolved creatures in football. “Goalkeepers have reached a standard of excellence in what they do, far superior to outfield players,” Francis Hodgson wrote in his seminal Only the Goalkeeper to Beat. “They have had to, and they have responded magnificently to the demands the game has placed upon them.”
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I was, then, thrilled to find out that Manchester City are proposing to break the world transfer record for Gianluigi Buffon, the Juventus goalkeeper. Get the goalkeeper right and the rest will follow. You have only to look at Brian Clough, who had Peter Shilton, Sir Alex Ferguson, who had Peter Schmeichel, José Mourinho, who had Petr Cech.

But goalkeepers have always been in the bargain basement, the cheapest of all players. Shilton cost £250,000 in 1977; Schmeichel £530,000 in 1991; Cech still a bargain at £7million in 2004. Goalkeepers are traditionally misunderstood and unappreciated, and no doubt they wouldn't have it any other way. But with this devastating flourish of sheer cash, City and the egregious Sheikh Mansour have stood that ancient tradition on its head.

Now, if this all goes through, the last shall be first, and the most talented players in the game will be treated as such for the first time. Soon all the fat kids will be forced to play as outfielders, while the cool guys fight for the most thrilling, challenging and difficult position that the game can offer.

 

[Andy Christ]

It isn't really the question if he's worth £50M or not because it would be sort of a reputation signing by City. A proof that they can get the absolute best. When Abu Dhabi guys manage to lure the best goalkeeper in the world to their club, it will become much easier to attract other world class players.

But obviously i hope that Juve won't let him go or he himself will say no. It would be a blow for Serie A and might also be a blow for Buffon himself and his legacy.

 

[Andy Christ]

So the question is, is Buffon so good to break the world record for? And are goalkeepers generally underrated in the transfer market? Only Buffon has ever commanded an outrageous transfer fee (30m), the second most expensive was Peruzzi for 10.5m, which is nowhere near what teams pay for players these days.

I'm pretty certain that Peruzzi shouldn't be the second in that list as Inter paid more than 10.5 million for Toldo, it was reported to be around 15 million back then

 

[The Green One]

I did a check, thats all I could find, even so there's a huge gulf between the fees paid for Buffon and any other keeper.

 

[Deano]

Buffon is just the bollocks. Alot of Madrid fans demand that Casillas is, but Buffon just has this awe about him... he makes every save he does look easy... Casillas is eye catching, he does a triple somersault, inward-pike just to clear away a back-pass, but Buffon is commanding and for the last 10 years been the best goalkeeper in the world (since 1999).

 

[las7]

Exactly Andy; Buffon himself is open to the move so it's likely to happen.

Honestly City get the best player on the planet in this perticular position-they could have for example gone with a cheeper option(maybe Frey) or kept Hart there. The signing
is just a huge announcement to superstar players. "We aint only going to pay you astronomical wages; you will also be playing with the best players in the World"

Kind of like the Galatico Era at Real-since I aint sure Hughes has any control in terms of transfer at City

 

[zoric]

Buffon is just the bollocks. Alot of Madrid fans demand that Casillas is, but Buffon just has this awe about him... he makes every save he does look easy... Casillas is eye catching, he does a triple somersault, inward-pike just to clear away a back-pass, but Buffon is commanding and for the last 10 years been the best goalkeeper in the world (since 1999).

roud:

 

[numerodix]

As for this "plausible rumor", mr. Green, I think of it on par with Rivaldo to Bolton at one point. But we shall see.

 

[Minotti]

Buffon should leave Juve. At least I can wish him success again p

 

[The Green One]

I think the money on offer is sensational, a real attraction. Its a real possibility. My only worry is that Buffon does not seem too motivated by money. The fact that Serie A is so far behind the EPL and La Liga will be the deciding factor. This will probably be his only oppurtunity to leave Juventus before his contract expires. I think its way more likely that Rivaldo to Bolton.

 

[numerodix]

I think the money on offer is sensational, a real attraction. Its a real possibility. My only worry is that Buffon does not seem too motivated by money. The fact that Serie A is so far behind the EPL and La Liga will be the deciding factor. This will probably be his only oppurtunity to leave Juventus before his contract expires. I think its way more likely that Rivaldo to Bolton.

Pardon, but what is the motive precisely? He did have an opportunity to join Milan in 2006, he said that recently in an interview that he even intended to (but then he changed his mind, Vald :smileani: ). A so much more logical choice for a) an Italian as they generally like to stay in the country and b) a much more attractive club from his purview no doubt.

What does City have that's so great? Money? He's already the best paid goalkeeper in Italy. They may be on to something with all the cash, but for the time being it's just an above-midtable club. Chelsea has money too, and they didn't get Buffon, I'm sure they could have. And they're much closer to the top.

Would Schmeichel join Udinese?

 

[Hala Madrid]

Buffon is just the bollocks. Alot of Madrid fans demand that Casillas is, but Buffon just has this awe about him... he makes every save he does look easy... Casillas is eye catching, he does a triple somersault, inward-pike just to clear away a back-pass, but Buffon is commanding and for the last 10 years been the best goalkeeper in the world (since 1999).

Can he fly like this though? roud:

 

[The Green One]

Casillas flys only for the cameras

 

[Macumba]

Don't support fascism. Let him rot in Italy and burry him next to Mussolini.

 

[ekim]

Buffon is just the bollocks. Alot of Madrid fans demand that Casillas is, but Buffon just has this awe about him... he makes every save he does look easy... Casillas is eye catching, he does a triple somersault, inward-pike just to clear away a back-pass, but Buffon is commanding and for the last 10 years been the best goalkeeper in the world (since 1999).

Well over the last 10 years, I would agree with you about Buffon. But I think over the last few years, Casillas has become better.

Oh, by the way. I am no Real Madrid fan p