Stekelenburg reveals Juve flirtation

Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has revealed that he was once contacted by Juventus – the club he’ll look to deny on Monday.

The two Serie A rivals will play each other at the Stadio Olimpico at the start of next week and the Dutchman has divulged an interesting transfer secret.

“There was a time in the past when it was thought that Gigi Buffon would leave Juventus,” the 29-year-old told Tuttosport.

“That was when I was contacted by the club, but nothing ever came of it.”

Stekelenburg eventually arrived in Italy over the summer after Roma and Ajax finally reached a compromise over a move.

“I wanted to have an experience abroad and the Roma project was an intriguing one,” he continued.

It has been a tough season so far for the Giallorossi, though, and the pressure is increasing on boss Luis Enrique.

“He is a passionate guy,” the custodian added. “You should see how carefully he works during the week and the relationship he has established with the team.

“We are coming off the back of two defeats, but we played with 10 men for most of the game in Florence.”

Roma lost 3-0 at Fiorentina and actually ended that particular tie with just eight players on the pitch.

The capital club are joint seventh in the standings, but already a massive 12 points behind League leaders Juve.