GIORGIO CHIELLINI hopes to extend his 17-year Juventus career following his heroics for Italy at the European Championships.
The Serie A veteran will celebrate his 37th birthday in August a month after leading the Azzurri to their second Euros trophy win.
The Italy skipper, who began his senior playing career at 16 at Livorno, is currently out of contract.
The centre-back’s previous deal with Juve, who finished fourth in Serie A last term, expired in July.
His agent Davide Lippi suggests Chiellini is relaxed about his future despite him currently being without a club.
Lippi reportedly told Italian station Radio Radio: “Giorgio went to the Euros and focused exclusively on that. It takes two to sign a contract.
“There’s no problem with Juventus, we said we’d meet up later in the summer, but we haven’t yet sat down to discuss a renewal.”
Chiellini, who made 25 appearances for the Old Lady across all competitions last season, saw his Juve deal expire on June 30.
It is thought the defender, who once snubbed a move to Arsenal at 16, could consider a switch to a European giant.
However staying in Turin reported to be his preference.
Lippi added: “They’d have to make the offer first. As of today, there is nobody. We are waiting for Juventus to tell us when we can sit down and have a chat.
“He was a symbol of Juventus for many years and we are waiting for a club.
“Nobody has called, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, as he’s the only free agent in the Italy squad now.
NO ITALY RETIREMENT
Chiellini, who made six Euros 2020 appearances for Roberto Mancini’s side, has received 112 caps since making his senior Azzurri debut in 2004.
And it is thought the defender, who suffered a thigh injury scare during Italy’s group stage win against Switzerland, is showing no signs of wanting to call time on his international career.
This is despite rumours of the player potentially considering international retirement.
It is thought Chiellini is looking to help the Azzurri in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Lippi praised his client for battling his way back to fitness after a severe knee injury kept him out of action from August 2019 until February 2020.
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Lippi added: “Thinking of Chiellini away from the playing field at this moment is madness.
“What he did after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament is incredible.
“What fuels him is passion and we saw in the Euros that the passion is still strong.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
