AC Milan have seemingly made the decision to allow Gianluigi Donnarumma to leave on a free, with Mike Maignan’s signing to be announced imminently.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have taken a look at the pros and cons of letting Donnarumma walk, starting with the obvious point that the club have freed themselves somewhat from the grip of Mino Raiola’s grip.
Another summer of haggling with Raiola – after having already done so in 2017 with Fassone and Mirabelli in charge – was not on the agenda. Elliott Management were able to send a clear signal by showing their blueprint must also be followed for the years to come, with no intention of getting into bidding wars with agents.
The second factor that favours Milan is the savings on the wage bill. Milan have not shown any problems regarding the regular payment of salaries, but it must be noted that €5m gross per year (for Maignan) versus €20m gross for Donnarumma is a huge difference.
Third positive: the timing. Acting quickly was essential to prevent the climate from getting too tense and many have clearly expressed their discontent towards Donnarumma, acknowledging that high-level club can be hostage by a player or an agent. Maldini and co. acted quickly to replace him with minimal fuss.
Now we move on to the doubts. The first reason for skepticism about the Rossoneri’s choice is quite obviously linked to the player’s value, as Donnarumma is 22, could be the goalkeeper of the national team for at least a decade and is potentially the most valuable player in the world in his position. Losing an elite player – for a club aiming to return to the top – is never a good sign and is not very much in line with the history of Milan.
The second concern is the role, as a goalkeeper is not just any player and whoever has an elite player between the posts has the advantage. Replacing a leader is not comparable to looking for great players elsewhere on the pitch.
The third perplexity is that Donnarumma was the vice-captain of Milan (behind Alessio Romagnoli, another player whose agent is Raiola). Losing leaders always upsets the balance, especially when considering that Milan’s other leader Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent is: you guessed it…
The big difference is that Raiola works for Ibra and Donnaruma works for Raiola. So what Ibra says happens, in the other case what Raiola says happens.
Exactly! U are really right….👍
Raiola didn’t even negotiate Zlatan’s latest contract – Zlatan did it himself. That’s a huuuge difference. Gigio doesn’t have the balls to say anything to the pizzaguy.
Thank you Maldini Thank you Milan. No one is above that shirt Raiola and Doramuna are low life both of them
Doramuna family do low. Go hell you idiot
I hope you go down
I think Milan is now like a big iceberg and starting to melt, Donnarumma’s departure is a tragic and irreparable attempt to hide the Eliot cooperation behind the Club with its dirty and shameful attitude that the club is in the first place and not the player..It is a lie because Eliot cooperation is actually ruining Milan as a tower of cards. They are not targeting big Milan and powerful Milan with big stars in the team. On the contrary, the Eliot cooperative only wants to get the money through the players and be sure that the fans will understand what is happening in two months, but it will be too late when a large number of players who were key to Milan’s success are lost. It is a shame that as a fan I have to watch the politics of the club led by Gazditis destroy Milan. And remember one Milan will become like Arsenal in England, will create players who will be sold further and Milan will bring young footballers and thus we will become just a doll shop, while others will win championships and the Champions League Milan will be nothing more than an ordinary starlet
he’s going for free man
Are you raiola’s brother? Off course letting Gigio leave is the best way rather than other player start to think the same way of him and his agent, and ruining Milan balance in the future.. Arsenal? There is no way Milan will have the same direction with that Eng club, our record and history prove that.
Cesar you amazed me, so you want Milan to be played around by that stupid and greedy agent called Raiola and Donnaruma? No way Milan acted in the right direction 8million is reasonable for him. He actually did not have the love for the team but rather to make more money. Go back to history many teams had won the league and champions league with average goalkeepers. Let call a spade a spade my friend. Both of them are greedy individuals simple, no more players manage by Raiola in Milan. Forza Milano.
Raiola decides and MANIPULATES Donna, but Zlatan decides on what he wants….. U can only decide for a slave not for a King!
what important is keeping the team atmosphere to stay focused and determined. being competitive doesn’t mean the team must consist all-star player. what needed is a united team. if the player feel content, then they can decide. what matter is they who comes not them who goes.
Good riddance… from a hero to a parasite. Yeah yeah he’s great. But he’s no God! Milan will always be Milan with or without him, and true fans will be behind that Milan always, in the ups and in the downs.
WE ARE AC MILAN!