Buffon puts Di Maria on Maradona's level

Juventus and Italy national team legend Gianluigi Buffon has given the green light for the club to sign Angel Di Maria.

The 44-year-old, who still plies his trade for Parma in Serie B, believes Italy's top flight could use a player of Di Maria's quality, with the Argentine available on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

"He can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or even playmaker," Buffon said. "Whoever signs him, and I really hope it's Juve, is doing some good business.

"We are talking bout a star, and football needs stars."

On par with Maradona

Buffon's praise for Di Maria didn't stop there. He compared the Argentine to footballing great Diego Armando Maradona given his technical abilities, which he feels are lacking in Serie A.

"Di Maria would be like Maradona in Italy," Buffon said. "Today's Serie A is poor technically and Angel has quality to spare."

Financial issues still have to be resolved

The only things stopping Di Maria from signing with Juventus are his wage demands, with Barcelona also said to be interested in his services.

Nevertheless, Buffon believes the Bianconeri won't regret signing the Argentine, who was the goalkeeper's teammate during PSG's title winning 2018/19 season.