AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates. (Getty Images)
According to a recent report by Calcio Mercato, AC Milan’s prodigious Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is being linked with a possible summer move to Premier League side Manchester United.
The English giants have been in the market for a replacement for David De Gea for quite a while now and it’s being suggested that they’ve finally identified Donnarumma as their number one target.
AC Milan are going through a necessary transition with both the head coach and sporting director leaving within close proximity. This has triggered some chaotic rumours about a multitude of the Milan players and considering that the Italian has a monstrous future ahead of him, it’s no surprise he’s been linked with a move away.
It has been claimed that the Manchester United chiefs have already contacted the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, in an attempt to bring him to Old Trafford in the summer.
Although a move to the Premier League would be in the youngster’s best interest, he certainly won’t be let go of for a nominal fee.
David De Gea is 28 now and since joining from Atletico Madrid back in 2011, he has certainly developed into a top goalkeeper. While he’s been a loyal servant of over 350 games for this United side, over the last couple of seasons, his bad traits have started to shine through again.
In the season that just passed, he cost United multiple key goals, and in certain situations, matches.
He made a lot of individual mistakes and although he’s always looked assured with the ball at his feet, he’s often struggled to complete simple saves this season.
The goals scored by Manchester City and Chelsea in the final weeks of the season were his responsibility and had he made a couple of fairly decent saves, United could still be in the Champions League next season.
Donnarumma is a 20-year-old Italian international goalkeeper who has been one of the best young stars that Italy has produced in recent times.
His massive reach and expandability have been a feature of Milan’s defensive play this season and he’s also adept at launching the ball early in order to trigger a possible counter-attack. This season, he played in 36 league games for Milan and he only conceded 31 goals all campaign.
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Considering how good this kid was at 18, Donnarumma is effectively guaranteed to have a massive future. While staying at his boyhood club could be his fancy, a move to the Premier League, where he can consistently challenge for trophies, can be the right step.
With De Gea’s quality now coming under question, the Italian is the right man to replace him between sticks at Old Trafford next season.