Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close watch on the contract situation of AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose deal runs out at the end of the season.
According to a report from 90min.com, Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are keenly monitoring Gianluigi Donnarumma, who will be out of contract with Serie A giants AC Milan at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old has been the first-choice custodian for the Rossoneri since breaking into the side as a 16-year-old back in 2015. Till date, Donnarumma has racked up 232 appearances for Milan, managing 82 shut-outs in the process and is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Italy national team as well.
However, Donnarumma’s future at San Siro has been a subject of intense speculation for quite some time now as the young custodian had entered the final year of his deal at the start of the campaign. Chelsea are said to be keen admirers of the Italian international and are now again closely following his situation.
The Blues strengthened their goalkeeping unit in the summer with the signing of Edouard Mendy, who has performed fairly well in his debut campaign. In addition, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been out of favour under ex-manager Frank Lampard, seems to be getting another shot under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
Indeed, the Spanish international got a chance in the FA Cup game against Barnsley last week while he also started the Premier League contest against Newcastle United on Monday night – his first in the league since October last year. So, the Blues interest in Donnarumma does come as a bit of a surprise.
Nevertheless, the report states that the Blues are keeping a close watch on the 22-year-old, as are reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain as well.
Donnarumma, for his part, is involved in talks over a new deal with AC Milan. The 22-time capped Italian international, however, wants to become the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world, leading to an impasse in negotiations.
Another issue is the duration of the deal, with the club wanting to tie him down till 2026, but agent Mino Raiola not willing to commit more than three years. It remains to be seen as to how talks between Donnarumma and Milan progress and if they do not yield the desired results, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea make a swoop in the summer.
