Donnarumma will not renew Milan contract
AC Milan announced that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will not extend his current contract, which expires in 2018. Real Madrid is a likely destination.Espanyol-Barcelona live stream online: LaLiga 2017-18
Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, has told the club that he does not want to renew his current contract, which expires in 2018.
Donarrumma news announced by Milan director
Marco Fassone, the general director of Milan, announced the news following a 45-minute meeting with Mino Raiola, the player’s agent.
“Raiola has told me that Donnarumma will not renew his contract at Milan. That is the final decision,” Fassone lamented.
“We were confident that Gigio would be the goalkeeper for the ‘new’ Milan, the pillar around which the rest of the team would be built, but we will have to revise our plans… It’s a sad decision, but we’ll keep moving forward, Milan continues.”
Donnarumma, who stands at 1.96 metres, is one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe. It is possible that he could leave San Siro on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract. That said, Milan may try to sell the player this summer, in order to recoup some money from his departure.
Real Madrid the likely destination
The collective ears of the European footballing elite perked up upon Fassone’s announcement. Real Madrid are one of the interested parties. According to SportItalia, Mino Raiola has advised Milan that Madrid are the not the only club with an interest in his client, yet most lucrative offer for Donnarumma is from the Spanish capital: Los Blancos would pay the Italian a salary of €6m per year, and offer him a long-term contract.
Donnarumma is expected to fill the sizeable hole that Gigi Buffon will leave in the Italian national team when the Juventus stopper retires. This summer, however, Donnarumma will be representing the Azzuri at Under 21 level, in the European Championships.
Last season, he conceded 49 goals in 41 games for Milan.