TugaScout is an English-language site reporting on matters associated with Portuguese football by freelance writer Alex Goncalves, offering the latest news, reviews and opinions surrounding the Portuguese League and the Seleção players based abroad.

Club rivalling Porto for the signature of Buffon play in the English second division

It is Porto that are currently leading the race to sign Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon.

However, while the Italian shot-stopper, now 41, is believed to be in pole position to complete a move to the Primeira Liga runners-up this summer, there is a new player that has entered the game in a bid to secure the signature of the 2006 World Cup champion - Leeds United.

Leeds are currently playing in the English Championship, the second tier of English football, and are currently managed by former Argentina and Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa.

And it is the historic English emblem that are believed to be pushing Porto in signing Buffon, both Correire Della Serra and Sky Sports reporting that they are trying to convince Buffon to join them in their promotion challenge.

However, Porto are still in pole position to sign the 176-time Italian international, with the enticing prospect of competing for the Portuguese title likely at the forefront of his mind.

As such, FC Porto are still deemed the side Buffon is currently most interested in, although he has also received a more concrete proposal from a Serie A club too - Atalanta, who will be competing in the Champions League next season. They are the side that are currently working hardest to convince Buffon to remain in Italy.

After a season of mixed fortunes at Paris Saint Germain came to an end, Buffon is looking for a club where he will have the chance to play more regularly, and being given the chance to challenge for silverware in Portugal is one of the major factors attracting him to Porto.

This would mark the 3rd country Buffon has ever played in, having spent all his career up to the start of last season in Italy.

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