Report: Juventus to announce Andrea Barzagli's contract extension on Wednesday

For months and months  we heard that Max Allegri extending his Juventus contract was going to happen. It was going to be next week, then the next week, then the week after that, and so on and so on. The reports from the big boys of the Italian press came and went what seemed like every week until Allegri's contract extension was finally announced just a few short days ago.

It seems as though the same can now be said for Andrea Barzagli's new and much-talked about contract extension as well.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are set to announce Barzagli's contract extension on Wednesday. The new deal will see the 35-year-old defender stay extend his stay with the club for another two seasons, getting the same June 2018 endpoint as Allegri just tacked onto his contract. There's also the added stipulation of Barzagli, who celebrate his birthday on Sunday, will be taking a front office role with the club after his playing days come to an end.

But let's not worry about Barzagli retiring right now. He's still a vital player on this team.

I say that because even at an age when players start to show signs of their age, Barzagli has continued to be one of the best there is in Italy. Despite being Juventus' oldest regular starter not named Gigi Buffon, Barzagli has appeared in 30 of Juventus' 37 Serie A games this season. And, in just about every one of them, he's been one of Juve's most consistent players. That's nothing new to us, though, but it's certainly a testament to just how he's been able to maintain his wonderful form and kick the injury bug he's dealt with despite going from his early-30s to mid-30s right before our very eyes.

Contract extension well earned? Yeah, definitely. And finally official in short order, too.