AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma shouldn’t have any problems agreeing to a renewal despite Premier League interest, says his agent.
According to recent speculation, both Chelsea and Manchester United are keen on signing the 17-year-old this summer, with uncertainty still surrounding the futures of their respective first-choice goalkeepers, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Donnarumma has been a revelation this season having displaced Diego Lopez as the number one between the posts for the Rossoneri.
Having shown great maturity and ability, it is no surprise that he has attracted interest from across Europe. However, it appears as though a contract renewal with the Italian giants is more likely than a move to the Premier League.
“The future of Donnarumma? I think Conte would do well to take him to the Euros,” Raiola said to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Not to play, of course. But to begin to taste a certain environment. Ahead of the next World Cup.
“Rumours about him? I can only say that Gianluigi is on an important path at Milan and he is grateful for all the attention he’s received. Starting from Abbiati, who was by his side like a big brother.
“I haven’t been shown specific offers, but we’re all aware of the fact that the attention around him is important. Renewal? There won’t be any problems, I’ll meet Galliani for this. And if one day Donnarumma was to leave Milan, he would only do it to go to a foreign club out of a sense of respect. In Italy, he only sees Milan.”
Although the final comment from Raiola will leave Milan supporters anxious given that he didn’t entirely close the door on an exit to England, it is widely assumed that the club will do their utmost to extend Donnarumma’s stay at the club.
The Italian youngster is considered a fundamental part of their future along with other young stars such as Alessio Romagnoli, and it would be a poor decision on their part to sell at this stage of his career.
Nevertheless, with the likelihood that they will miss out on Champions League football again next season as they trail third-placed Roma by 11 points in the Serie A standings with eight games remaining, financial limitations could force them to consider their options if a substantial offer was made.
While it sounds as though the priority is to secure Donnarumma’s long-term future at the San Siro, there is still time for that to change this summer.