Fans tell Gianluigi Buffon 'don't bat an eye' over two-year Saudi offer for 45-year-old

Gianluigi Buffon has been offered a lucrative two-year deal to play in the Saudi Pro League - and fans have told him to take the cash.

The goalkeeping icon, 45, failed in his quest to guide Parma back to Serie A and has committed to retiring after his contract expires at the end of next season.

However, fans have told Juventus icon Buffon to take the cash at the end of his career by playing in Saudi and following in footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and beyond.

One comment said: "Brother should take without batting an eye he deserves it." A second added: "This is a no brainer take the money and then dip."

A third posted: "Odds on him playing till 50???" A fourth chuckled: "Mamdem will be using walking stick and still be in the game."

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport report news of the Saudi offer to the former PSG stopper, saying it could be worth up to £25million across two seasons.

He could be the second Italian to play in Saudi after former Italy team-mate Sebastian Giovinco, who played for Al Hilal until 2021.

Buffon has made 975 club appearances since his 1995 debut at the age of just 17, with a further 176 for country between 1997 and 2018.

Known as one of the best goalkeepers in history, Buffon was emotional when stating that he was approaching his final season as a player.

He said on Christian Vieri's Twitch channel: "I would like to retire after next season, no later than that. I'm competitive, I don't want to be considered a number two."

The influx of signings to Saudi has coincided with investment in four clubs by Newcastle's owner the Saudi Public Investment fund.

As well as Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have all made the switch - with interest in Manchester City's Bernardo Silva.

That move for the 28-year-old would make him one of the highest paid players in history having helped Pep Guardiola's side to the Treble.