Juventus star Andrea Pirlo 'close to New York City FC move'

Updated 22/06/2015 at 14:47 GMT

Andrea Pirlo is reported to be close to signing for MLS club New York City FC, where he will play alongside Frank Lampard in midfield.

Italy's Andrea Pirlo during the international friendly soccer match against Portugal at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland June 16, 2015.

Image credit: Reuters

Pirlo, 36, is currently in New York and is said to be in talks over a move from Juventus, where he has one year left on his contract but is expected to depart after winning the double.

According to the Guardian:

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Although Pirlo has yet to comment on any move to the US, he was seen at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night with the Manchester City chief executive, Ferran Soriano.

City control their sister club and so it seems Pirlo is destined to line up alongside Lampard, who moves from Manchester to New York this summer, and Spain’s all-time top goalscorer David Villa.

However, there are suggestions that the move has overruled the New York operation, who were hoping for a younger designated player.

It was erroneously reported that Pirlo had already confirmed the move via Instagram, only for the midfielder to clarify he does not have an account.

"Good morning," he wrote on Twitter. "I would like to point out again that I have no profile on Instagram. If I open one, it will be written in proper Italian."

However, Pirlo has posted pictures of his trip to New York and could now take up permanent residence in the city.

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