Gianluigi Buffon has said that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is the best player in the world.

The goalkeeper was speaking ahead of Juve's Champions League match against Manchester City, who were linked with signing Pogba in the summer

"The level that Paul Pogba was playing at last season, there was nobody better in the world, and I include [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo in that," Buffon told The Mirror. "When you are at that level, stories are always going to be written about your future.

"Manchester City are one of three or four clubs in the world that can pay what I call crazy money, so it's only natural they were interested in him.

"He made his intentions to stay with Juventus very clear though, and that was important for us, but also important for football. It showed that money doesn't always win."

Pogba could still move away from Juventus in the summer, and has been linked with a move to Barcelona.