AC Milan’s technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed to the club’s official Twitch channel that Gianluigi Donnarumma would be leaving the club to become a free agent. However, the Italian is expected to find a new home without much difficulty, with Barcelona among those interested.
Transfer experts Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano have confirmed that Barcelona have been in contact with Mino Raiola over a potential deal for Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 22-year-old goalkeeper will be released by AC Milan upon his contract expiry, following which he will become a free agent. Milan, meanwhile, have already replaced Donnarumma with Lille’s Mike Maignan. The club confirmed that a deal for the Frenchman had been completed on May 27.
The club is reportedly interested in signing the Italian on a free transfer regardless of their current goalkeeping situation. German international Marc Andre ter Stegen presently keeps the goal for the Blaugrana and is likely to retain his position despite Donnarumma’s potential arrival.
The report also states that Barcelona president Joan Laporta enjoys a good relationship with Raiola, which could further help facilitate the deal. As such, Donnarumma could potentially become the fifth player to sign for the Blaugrana on a free transfer this summer. The club is expected to confirm deals for free agents Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, and Georginio Wijnaldum in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Memphis Depay, who will leave Lyon on July 1, 2021, is also a target for the Spanish giants.
According to Romano, the Barcelona board will soon make a decision regarding a move for Donnarumma. Meanwhile, he also states that Juventus remain interested in the young goalkeeper despite the status of Wojciech Szczesny.
Donnarumma made his debut for AC Milan aged just 16. He spent the next six years as the Rossoneri’s number one, appearing just over 250 times for the club. During the same period, he kept 88 clean sheets and helped Milan finish second in the 2020/21 Serie A season.
