Gianluigi Buffon claims Leeds United made huge transfer mistake by selling ‘great’ player

Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has suggested that Leeds United may have made an error in allowing a promising goalkeeper to leave the club, praising the player’s potential to reach the very top of the game.

The former World Cup winner described ex-Leeds goalkeeper Elia Caprile as a “great” talent and believes the 24-year-old could soon be playing at Champions League level. Caprile arrived at Elland Road in 2020 but spent most of his time with the club’s under-23 side before departing in 2022. After a loan spell with Serie C outfit Pro Patria, he moved permanently to Bari in Serie B.

Caprile’s career has since gathered momentum. He is currently playing in Serie A with Cagliari following a spell at Napoli, and this season marks his first run of regular top-flight football. He has already made 15 league appearances and earned a call-up to the senior Italy squad for the November international window.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Buffon highlighted the depth of quality Italy currently possess between the posts. “We have Donnarumma, Meret, Carnesecchi and Caprile,” Buffon said. “These are goalkeepers of real quality, all at a very high level. They are players who would feature in the Champions League — and most of them already do. Caprile may reach that level as soon as next season.”

Given Buffon’s assessment, Leeds could come to regret allowing Caprile to leave without offering him a genuine opportunity. This is especially relevant after Illan Meslier lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper and the club worked hard to recruit Lucas Perri in the summer — a position Caprile may have been able to fill had he remained.

Reflecting on his ambitions during his time at Leeds, Caprile previously spoke about his long-term goals. “Leeds were the first to tell me to go out on loan, play 30 or 40 matches and then we would talk again,” he said. “My hope and my objective was to play in Serie A.

“Every child dreams of reaching Serie A, and maybe even the Champions League. As for my dream, in 10 years I would like to be Napoli’s goalkeeper. My father is from Naples, and I support Napoli.”

Caprile has already fulfilled part of that ambition by establishing himself in Serie A. While his time at Napoli did not unfold as planned, he remains young for a goalkeeper and still has plenty of time to develop further — with the possibility that his Champions League dream may yet become reality.