Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is also being targeted by Real Madrid for a move this summer.
According to a report by Italian outlet SportsMediaSet, Gianluigi Donnarumma could be on his way to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, with Mino Raiola in talks with the Reds. The AC Milan goalkeeper is also the subject of interest from Real Madrid, and is likely to command a fee of €70 million.
Donnarumma is the latest Italian goalkeeper who has been earmarked for greatness, at both the club and international levels. Three years following his first-team debut for AC Milan, the teenager has progressed leaps and bounds, and was one of the standouts in a rather underwhelming campaign for the Rossoneri.
The 19-year-old is all set to take over the mantle of the first-choice goalkeeper for the Italian National Side as well, following Gianluigi Buffon’s retirement. But, his AC Milan future has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent months, with Donnarumma’s relationship with the club’s fanbase souring as well.
Furthermore, the impending arrival of Pepe Reina is set to put his position as the first-choice goalkeeper under threat, although Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli recently insisted that they do not intend to sell Donnarumma. However, his uncertain position has alerted a number of clubs, chief among whom are Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Real Madrid’s goalkeeping problems are well documented. Keylor Navas has been a shining light for Los Blancos in recent weeks, but has blown hot and cold over the last two seasons. With Kiko Casilla deemed unfit to be the first-choice goalkeeper, and Luca Zidane not ready to take on the mantle yet, the teenage prodigy is a viable target.
Liverpool, on the other hand, seem to be finally solving their goalkeeping woes, with Loris Karius coming of age this season. For this reason precisely the Reds seemed to have ended their bid to sign a goalkeeper in the summer. But, with Simon Mignolet rumoured to be on the exit trail, Liverpool look to be back in the market for one.
And, if the report is anything to go by, Liverpool might have an advantage over Real Madrid in the race to sign Donnarumma. In Milan’s final league game of the season against Fiorentina last weekend, the custodian was subjected to constant whistling by the fans, which has prompted his agent Mino Raiola to contact the Merseyside club to negotiate a possible deal.
The player’s agent has iterated that Liverpool will have to table a player-plus-€40 million offer to tempt Milan into selling Donaarumma. But, the Rossoneri have made it clear that they will only be willing to sell the teenager for €70 million, which should give Real Madrid a lease of life in their bid to sign him.
It now remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to break the transfer record for a goalkeeper to land Donnarumma. If they don’t one can expect Real Madrid to splash the big bucks to sign Donnarumma as the young goalkeeper edges closer to a move away from Milan.
