Sources: Chelsea start Donnarumma talks
Further details about Chelsea's interest in the AC Milan goalkeeper
Our insider source @ExWHUEmployee (who was the first to reveal Chelsea’s interest in Edouard Mendy), has told us that Chelsea are interested in signing AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He confirms talks have started between the two parties and Chelsea hope to persuade him to join them this summer when he becomes a free agent.
21 year old Gianluigi Donnarumma is the latest big name linked to Chelsea, despite recently signing Edouard Mendy from Rennes late in the summer window.
Yes, Donnarumma is still only 21, despite being on the professional scene since 2015, where he made his debut for his boyhood club at the tender age of 16 years and 242 days.
The young Italian goalkeeper has come through the AC Milan academy, and has built a loyal relationship with the Milan faithful over the last few years as their starting goalkeeper with bundles of potential. Accompany this with Chelsea’s recent goalkeeper signing in Mendy, why are these links there?
Donnarumma’s current contract runs out this coming summer, last extended in July 2017. His agent, the ever-popular Mino Raiola, has suggested his client may be available, perhaps for his own gains as he seeks out a big pay day.
It has been repeatedly reported that Gianluigi is happy at Milan, which has frustrated Raiola in the past. Nevertheless, with the current contract situation the goalkeeper finds himself in, he is available to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club in the world as of January 1st.
Where do Chelsea come in? Well, whilst the West London club signed recently signed Edouard Mendy from Rennes to replace the flailing Kepa Arrizabalaga, it is understood Mendy isn’t deemed the “long-term” fit for the future in SW6.
Whether this has become more apparent with the team’s recent struggles, Mendy included, is yet to be seen. Many weren’t talking much about Donnarumma when Mendy first arrived in scintillating form. However, “stop gap” appears to be the label thrown on the Senegalese goalkeeper as of now.
Since the news broke on the timeline, I went away and spoke with a few sources to gauge the likeliness of Chelsea’s ability to make this happen.
I was told these are very early days in terms of striking a deal, and the potential of Raiola using outside interest to strike a bigger, better deal for Donnarumma to extend his stay at his beloved club is still possible.
However, as my tweet today suggested, talks have begun, yet it’s very early days. Plus, just like another popular free agent in David Alaba, many of the world’s top teams will also be circling this situation.
Written by Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport