Two days after his pristine restart created a goal in Juventus’s 3-0 win over Roma, Andrea Pirlo appears on the verge of signing an extension with the Old Lady, a deal that would carry the 34-year-old’s career well past Brazil 2014. Whereas there had been faint whispers about the central midfielder’s future in light of what’s likely to be his final World Cup, now the 107-time Italian international is in line for a two-year contract extension with the reigning Italian champions, a deal that could extend through Pirlo’s 37th birthday.
At least, those are the reports coming out of the Italy today, with Juventus CEO Giuseppe Moratta speaking confidently about his regista’s future in Turin. As reprinted by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Moratta claimed the two-time defending Italian champions were “ready to re-sign Andrea” and willing to pay nearly $5.7 million over the next two seasons.
“Pirlo’s contract is coming to an end, but I can say that relations are excellent,” Moratta said. “We’ll extend his contract as soon as possible, and we’ll let you know about the duration.”
Pirlo came back from injury on Sunday to feature in Juventus’s three-goal win over second place Roma. Just after halftime, Pirlo delivered a perfect cross from deep on Juve’s left to create the game’s second goal – his first league assist of the season. In 19 all-competition appearances (Serie A and Champions League), Pirlo has three goals and two assists while completing nearly 89 percent of his attempted passes.
That performance builds on two title-winning seasons in Turin, where he moved after a decade at AC Milan. Allowed to leave the San Siro after the 2010-11 season, Pirlo has found new life and health at Juventus. where has Pirlo has scored eight times and appeared in 87.2 of Juve’s Serie A matches. In his final three seasons at Milan, the former Brescia and Inter man scored two goals and played in 67.5 percent of his team’s league matches.
Over the course of the next two seasons, it will be difficult for a 35- and 36-year-old Pirlo to replicate his initial Juventus numbers, though with the talent around him in the Bianconeri midfield, the limitations that come with age can be mitigated. Chilean Arturo Vidal is already one of the best players in Italy, and with the emergence of French international Paul Pogba (who Juventus is also attempting to sign to a new deal), Pirlo has two, physical, ranging players to do the dirty work. If he does re-sign, the four-time scudetto winner will have all the cover he needs to continue his success in Turin.
