Why Chelsea must plot a summer swoop for Gianluigi Donnarumma
According to famous Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Chelsea are one of the clubs to have contacted Mino Raiola over the availability of AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 21, shot to prominence in 2015 when he made his first-team debut for AC Milan at just 16 years of age. Since making his debut, he has gone onto make more than 190 appearances for Milan. The 21-year-old renewed his contract with the club back in 2017 and it expires at the end of next season.
Nicolo Schira claims that Milan could sell Donnarumma in an effort to balance the books with an annual salary of €8m, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also making contacts with Raiola. Juventus are also keeping tabs on the goalkeeper’s situation.
Meanwhile, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been dropped by boss Frank Lampard after a series of underwhelming displays between the sticks. Kepa replaced Thibaut Courtois and signed for £71.6 million – a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. However, the Spaniard has underperformed in his one-and-a-half years at the club.
Willy Caballero has stepped in but at the age of 38, he is by no means a long-term solution at Stamford Bridge. Kepa, however, was recalled into the starting XI against Liverpool in the FA Cup on Tuesday and he put in a solid display between the sticks, keeping a clean sheet as the Blues progressed to the quarter-finals of the competitions.
As far as Donnarumma is concerned, he came through AC Milan’s youth system and has made a name for himself with them. He won the Gazzetta Sports Awards back in 2016 and is now into his fifth season with Milan, racking up more than 190 appearances across all competitions. In the process, he has kept 69 clean sheets and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
The Italian international has also made 16 appearances for his national side and has immense experience at the highest level. Donnarumma has been a regular member of his club for the past 5 years and has helped Milan lift the Supercoppa Italiana in 2016.
The 21-year-old has been in decent form for Milan this term, keeping 10 clean sheets in 33 appearances. He has been a consistent performer for the Serie A club over the last few years and he would certainly be a boost for Chelsea given his displays between the sticks in Italy.
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Donnarumma is an established shot-stopper and would be a top option to compete with Kepa for the No.1 spot at Chelsea next season. He can provide the Blues with the stability at the back which Lampard has lacked this season, with his side conceding 39 goals in 28 games.
Verdict
With Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus also interested in the Milan star, it will be a tough task for Chelsea to get Donnarumma through the door. Nevertheless, what a signing it would be for Lampard if his club manages to pull it off!
