Gianluigi Buffon has again claimed both Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson failed to sign him before the goalkeeper's world-record move to Juventus.

The 39-year-old is gearing up for his third Champions League final as the Serie A champions take on holders Real Madrid, having lost on two previous occasions in 2003 and 2015.

Buffon has won nine Scudettos and the World Cup during 16 years with the Old Lady but was approached by Arsenal and Manchester United before making a €53 million (£33m) move from Parma in 2001.

A world-record fee for a keeper which still stands, though Manchester City this week paid £35m for Ederson but the deal was valued at a smaller conversion of €40m.

“From what I know, there have been three serious times when English clubs made an approach for me," Buffon is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

“Two of them were when I was a young player at Parma, and I know Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger asked about me – and then, when Manchester City was taken over, I know they approached Juventus.

“There are many reasons why none of the deals happened. Even though the Premier League is a special league, I have always wanted to stay loyal to Juventus.

“I have always been very successful here. I would not have changed anything.”

Buffon has previously confirmed interest from Arsenal, adding that Wenger went as far as meeting him, telling BT Sport: "I remember when I was 20 years old in 1998, I had dinner once with Wenger."

England No.1 David Seaman was still Arsenal's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper at the same, with Arsenal winning the Premier League and FA Cup double in the same year.