Juventus Aware of Arsenal and United Interest As Pirlo's Contract Remains Unresolved

Juventus have expressed their desire to hold onto Andrea Pirlo beyond next summer but are yet to make moves to address his expiring contract amid reported interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The influential Italy international has inspired the Bianconeri to two successive Serie A crowns and had started every league game this season, but was an unused substitute in the recent Turin Derby against Torino.

The 34-year-old could leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the current season when his contract expires and despite his high stock in European football, Juventus have previously indicated that they will not enter talks over a new deal until sometime in early new 2014.

The club's reluctance to tie Pirlo down to a new deal as soon as possible has fuelled reports that a number of Premier League clubs will offer the veteran the chance to play outside of Italy for the first time in his career.

Following his comments last month, Juventus managing director Giuseppe Moratta was recently quizzed on the interest surrounding Pirlo, in addition to defender Leonardo Bonucci who has also been linked with a move to the Premier League champions.

"On one hand it's nice to read or hear this because it means our players are good enough to be followed and observed by big clubs," Moratta told Tutto Mercato Web. "But we want to keep them close to us."

Juventus currently have an embarrassment of riches in their midfield, with the quartet of Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal all vying for starting roles.

Regardless of other options available, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon feels it would be disastrous for the club to allow Pirlo to leave next summer, urging the Bianconeri to open talks before other clubs enter the fray.

"Not holding onto Pirlo should not even be an option," the Italy shot stopper told Sky Sport Italia.

"If Pirlo were to leave, we might as well dismantle the stadium bit by bit and stop playing football altogether. I hope that we will never deprive ourselves of a great player like him."