AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has insisted that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has a long and successful career with the Rossoneri ahead.
The 17-year-old has established himself as a starter for the Serie A giants for over a year now, displaying consistency and maturity well beyond his years.
Having also now formed a pivotal part of Vincenzo Montella’s success so far this season, Milan will undoubtedly be desperate to keep hold of him in the years ahead.
Galliani was asked about the possibility of a move to Juventus, but laughed off the speculation and insisted that the teenager is set for a long future with the Rossoneri.
“You must be joking, Donnarumma is a Milan player and I hope and I am convinced that it will be a Milan player for many years,” he told TV show Tiki Taka, as noted by Calciomercato.
“I think that he will be the heir to [Gianluigi] Buffon with the national team although Buffon is still a great goalkeeper. He has a contract with Juventus until 2018, and he’s doing very well. Like Donnarumma, you knew it was predestined. I hope Donnarumma can continue as he is now.”
Milan have developed and shown faith in a young nucleus of players so far this season, with the likes of Alessio Romagnoli, Davide Calabria and Manuel Locatelli joining Donnarumma as part of the youthful homegrown theme that has emerged.
In turn, it’s no surprise that Galliani has no interest in discussing a possible exit for the shot-stopper, as he evidently has a major role to play in the club’s progress in the years to come with Montella’s side exceeding expectations so far this season as they sit just two points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus.