Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has doubts whether the reported €70million (£56.6million) world record transfer offer will ever arrive for a move to Manchester City.

City, with their new owners Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, have flexed their newly-acquired financial muscle with the £32.5million signing of Brazil forward Robinho from Real Madrid on the summer transfer deadline day for a British transfer record.

With the Arab group declaring their target of moving the Eastlands outfit forward, the big spending could be continued when the transfer window reopens in January with the Italy custodian now said to be City’s prime target.

The 30-year-old, who was signed by the Serie A outfit from rivals Parma in a £31million deal in 2001 and is under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until 2013, has, however, laughed off the City link-up.

"It's a journalist's fantasy," said Buffon.

"If an offer like that one arrived, I believe Juve would look at the numbers. But I doubt it would ever arrive."