Pranav Nair
Manchester United target Gianluigi Donnarumma heading towards AC Milan exit
According to The Daily Mail, AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma looks set to leave the club for free amidst interest from Manchester United.
The 22-year-old is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and despite his age is already a veteran of 251 games for the Italian giants. While Milan would like to keep him, the player has so far rejected multiple advances from the Italians regarding a new contract.
It would appear that the Rossoneri are preparing for the worst and have already earmarked Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan as a summer recruit. The 25-year-old is fresh off winning the Ligue 1 title and is a good enough player to start for the Serie A giants.
According to Sky Italia (h/t The Daily Mail), Maignan flew into Milan yesterday and is expected to sign a deal that will cost €15million. Since it makes little sense for him only to arrive to be a benchwarmer, one can assume time on Donnarumma’s time at the San Siro is ticking.
Donnarumma looks certain to part ways with Milan and bring an end to his eight-year stint with the club. Milan had handed the player an ultimatum to secure his future before the season’s end. However, that does not appear to have worked.
Previous reports have stated that Milan handed Donnarumma an ultimatum in an attempt to convince him to commit to a new deal before the end of the season.
Milan’s offer worth €8m-a-year did not meet the demands of Mino Raiola, who wanted at least €10m-a-year as well as a commission of around €20m. (h/t The Daily Mail)
The answer to our woes?
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently admitted that he is seeking a permanent solution to his goalkeeping conundrum heading into the new season.
The Norwegian has rotated between Dean Henderson and David de Gea this season but is keen to avoid it next time around. While the former has often shown his inexperience, De Gea’s best days may be behind him.
Rather than choose between either of them, United could very well make a move for Donnarumma instead. Not only is he more accomplished than Henderson but is also a long-term prospect who can hold down the fort for years to come.
More Manchester United News
- Harry Maguire details the conversations he had with Jose Mourinho ahead of Manchester United switch
- Diego Forlan expects Edinson Cavani to thrive at Manchester United alongside Harry Kane or Erling Haaland
- Manchester United fans react as Harry Maguire and Amy Turner are named PFA Community Champions for 2020/21
Both Henderson and De Gea are paid handsomely at United. Getting rid of one if not both of them should more than free up space for United to offer Donnarumma what Raiola is demanding.
The superagent however has a sketchy relationship with United. Moreover, with the Paul Pogba saga yet unresolved, it remains to be seen if we can afford to open a new front regarding Donnarumma.
