The Andrea Pirlo-to-New York City FC rumors heated up over the weekend, with the New York Daily News reporting on Sunday that the Italian legend is on the verge of signing a Designated Player deal with the expansion club.
The Daily News reported that Pirlo, 36, was at Yankee Stadium on Saturday with City Football Group executive Ferran Soriano and that a contract for the 2006 World Cup winner is expected to be finalized in the near future.
Pirlo recently finished the European season with Serie A champions Juventus, falling just short of his winning his third UEFA Champions League title when the Italian club lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the tournament final on June 6.
A three-time World Cup veteran, Pirlo still has one year remaining on his contract with Juventus. NYCFC would have to pay a transfer fee, or Juventus would have to release the midfielder from his contract in order for him to move to the States.
Should he sign with NYCFC, Pirlo would join David Villa and Frank Lampard as the club’s third Designated Player. Along with Lampard, who is expected to arrive in New York this week, Pirlo would not be eligible to play in MLS until after the summer transfer window opens on July 8.
