Report: Juventus to bring in Salvatore Sirigu to be Gianluigi Buffon's new understudy

Around this time last season, we had a feeling that Juventus would be in the market for a new backup goalkeeper. Marco Storari was more than welcome to stay, but signs pointed toward him heading to Cagliari — which is exactly what ended up happening.

Juventus' backup plan was to turn to Neto, who arrived on a free transfer from Fiorentina. It's worked out relatively well, I'd say. Just like Storari, Neto hasn't played much, but that's mostly because he hasn't needed to do so with Buffo being Buffon.

But is there a reason for another change?

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday, that's exactly what could be going down this summer. Even though he's never said it publicly, the Gazzetta is under the notion that Neto will be loaned out to get more playing time, causing Juventus to head into the transfer market to find a new goalkeeper to back up Buffon. That, as they say, is Paris Saint-Germain's Salvatore Sirigu, who is Buffon's understudy on the international level with the Italian national team.

This situation obviously depends on whether Neto — who is currently out due to injury — is actually staying right where he is or if the desire for more first-team football is an actual thing that needs to be addressed. Outside of one Serie A appearance back in September, the Brazilian's only playing time has come in the Coppa Italia. But it's not like he didn't know that coming into the season considering who the man playing ahead of him is. If Buffon is healthy, Buffon is going to play. And that means extremely limited and probably Coppa Italia-only appearances for whomever said backup is.

Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's something. But hey, it's something to talk about, I guess.