Chelsea continue Gianluigi Donnarumma talks with Milan exit confirmed
Exclusive – Chelsea are continuing talks with Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma over a move for the out of contract goalkeeper – though still face competition from other clubs.
Donnarumma’s contract will expire this summer and Milan grew tired of seeing negotiations with the 22-year-old fail, eventually securing a bargain £13m move for Lille’s Mike Maignan to replace him.
Milan chief Paolo Maldini recently confirmed that talks with Donnarumma had been terminated.
It’s a situation which Chelsea have been following for months. 90min revealed in December that the Blues had spoken with Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, over bringing the goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge on a free, and sources have confirmed that Chelsea’s interest has not faded.
Talks with Raiola, who has also been speaking with Paris Saint-Germain, have been on-going for months and Chelsea believe they have a genuine shot at securing Donnarumma’s signature, although the main concern is the interest of Juventus.
Juve have been working hard to snatch Donnarumma away on a free, and while he has always preferred to stay in Italy, sources close to the situation insist the goalkeeper is intrigued by the prospect of playing in the Premier League and would not be against heading to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are more than happy with current number one Edouard Mendy, who has enjoyed an excellent debut season at the club, but the chance to secure a goalkeeper of Donnarumma’s age and quality on a free transfer is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which they are reluctant to pass up on.
Mendy turned 29 in March, and while that is by no means old for a goalkeeper, there is an awareness that the Senegal international is unlikely to be a long-term option, whereas Donnarumma could provide a decade or more of service.
The hope is to make space for Donnarumma by offloading Kepa Arrizabalaga. Club officials have told the Spaniard that they will do everything possible to find him a new home this summer, but finding buyers prepared to meet Chelsea’s demands has thus far proven problematic.
Chelsea made Arrizabalaga the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when they paid £71m for him in 2018, and while the Blues accept they have no chance of receiving a fee anywhere close to that, there is only so much of a loss that the club are willing to take.