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Neither Manchester United nor Chelsea lack goalkeepers. In fact, they both have caps from Spain as well as new bloody internationals on their books this season. But Gianluigi Donnarumma represents too good an opportunity to miss for both of them.
Donnarumma has established himself as one of the world’s most respected goalkeepers after bursting onto the scene as a teenager. Italy’s number one, who just turned 22, made his Serie A debut at age 16, since he has accumulated 238 appearances for AC Milan.
At an age when most goalkeepers are still putting on gloves, Donnarumma has already been Milan’s No. 1 for five years and Italy’s first choice for three.
In addition to all that he has accomplished on the field, Donnarumma has also gotten into as many contract disputes as most players can handle throughout his entire career. Mino Raiola seems to have spent the last five years in a permanent state of negotiation with Milan. as he seeks to squeeze every last drop out of one of his most precious cash cows.
The rush from Raiola and Milan is increasing as Donnarumma’s current terms expire this summer. Without considerable concessions on one or both sides, in about three and a half months, the goalkeeper will become a free agent and perhaps one of the biggest robberies in history.
2019 🔚
Collection of the best saves of the year starring @ gigiodonna1 🧤A super 9⃣9⃣ in 2019! Gigio Donnarumma’s best fashion shows of the year! 🧤#AlwaysMilan pic.twitter.com/H3zILfjw4P
– AC Milan (@acmilan) Dec 30, 2019
If that happens, Chelsea and United won’t be the only clubs interested in making Raiola an offer. But the Red Devils and Blues seem to be better able than most to meet the agent’s demands.
Few of Europe’s other great hitters are in the market for a well-paid goalie this summer, even if it won’t cost you a transfer fee. Real Madrid and Barcelona have other demands on their limited resources, while Bayern Munich has no plans to sideline Manuel Neuer for the time being. PSG might be interested, as Keylor Navas’ profile never seemed to fully satisfy the Parisiens, even if his form and consistency met their needs.
Chelsea and United, however, have decisions to make about the future safety of their goals.
For United, a dilemma requires resolution. Neither Dean Henderson nor David De Gea will be content to sit on the bench next season and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must choose one. Or possibly neither.
Man United-Milan lives up to an illustrious history
De Gea’s form has been a concern for Solskjaer since signing a huge new contract in 2019. The Spaniard has enjoyed a stellar decade at Old Trafford, in which he established himself as the best goalkeeper in the world. But that status no longer belongs to the 30-year-old and his future remains in doubt, especially after the birth of his first child in Spain.
While De Gea remains on paternity leave, Henderson has a chance, one that Solskjaer seemed reluctant to offer previously, to stake his claim for the number one spot. The England international, on Friday the 24th, has made a reasonable fist from his audition thus far, looking solid and confident. excluding Manchester City last weekendBut his technical flaws were exposed when he failed to get a glove close to Simon Kjaer’s header in overtime when AC Milan drew a draw in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Solskjaer’s choice would be the envy of many coaches, but Donnarumma as a free agent offers an intriguing third option.
Did Henderson have his Mata vs. Palace moment?
Chelsea’s interest is similarly piqued. The Blues had to urgently address goalkeeping issues last year, with Kepa Arrizabalaga did not prove trustworthy, despite being the most expensive cap in the world. Chelsea identified Edouard Mendy as a achievable upgrade and while he has proven to be just that, the Senegal goalkeeper has yet to prove that he is a truly first-class number one.
It’s clear that if Donnarumma were to sit comfortably in the middle of a long-term commitment to Milan and any club looking to push him away would have to shell out the Italian’s market value, then neither Chelsea nor United would be looking to the San Siro. with any great intention.
But as a free agent, Donnarumma can offer both clubs a chance to save a few pounds while improving their goalkeepers. Of course, Donnarumma expects to get paid. But it appears he currently earns slightly less than Henderson earns as a substitute at United.
Raiola is reported to be asking around £ 165,000 a week to re-sign with Milan, as well as other sweeteners. To move in, Donnarumma would likely have close to £ 200,000 a week, which would make him one of the top earners in Chelsea. At Old Trafford, that salary might not put him in the top five, which is currently outscored by De Gea by more than double what Raiola asks of Milan.
There are the added drawback of dealing with Raiola, who would command a large commission to bring Donnarumma to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. And it would take sales to create space for another goalkeeper in the United and Chelsea squads. Though that would be the case regardless for both clubs this summer, with one set to leave Old Trafford and Kepa in dire need of a fresh start far from West London.
Neither United nor Chelsea would love to get into bed with Raiola, but Donnarumma is worth getting dirty about.
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