Milan’s big star, Gigio Donnarumma, is sitting on an expiring contract and big clubs are surely keeping an eye on him for the summer. The Rossoneri, however, are very keen on renewing his deal and are optimistic.
The goalkeeper is one of the best in the world and it would be a disaster to lose him for free in the summer. Therefore, negotiations are underway with his agent, Mino Raiola. We spoke to Fabrizio Romano on our podcast about the delicate situation.
What is going on with Donnarumma’s renewal, what have the complications been and do you think a deal will be closed soon?
“The feeling around the club is that that he can stay at AC Milan, so at the moment there are still so optimistic but there is no agreement yet. It’s a bit different with Donnarumma [compared to Calhanoglu] because Mino Raiola is involved, and when he is involved in this kind of deal, it’s really really dangerous for the club, but Milan are really optimistic also for Donnarumma.
“First of all, they know that the player wants to stay and when a player wants to stay, is in love with the club and the club is on the right path, it’s not just love between Donnarumma and Milan, it’s also something interesting about the project. Donnarumma knows that next season he could play the Champions League with Milan finally and also that the project of the club is okay, we can win.
“So, Gigio knows that at this moment he has the opportunity to win with Milan and that’s why they are very optimistic with regards to an agreement. There is still no agreement on the salary, because the last bid of Milan a few weeks ago was around the same salary he has right now, around €6.5m net per season for a five-year extension.
“Mino Raiola wants more for Donnarumma, so at the moment there is no agreement yet but they will also negotiate in the coming weeks. And when a player wants to stay, and the club wants to keep the player, I think the positive atmosphere is important. Then he has to sign the contract with Raiola, remember.”
Do you foresee, in Donnarumma’s contract, there being any sort of release clause if we don’t make Champions League?
“This is a possibility, the release clause is a possibility, they are discussing this. Raiola always wants release clauses because it’s an opportunity for the player, he’s doing the same with Haaland and also with De Ligt. Raiola players always have release clauses so he wants the same for Donnarumma.
“They are negotiating both about it related to the Champions League, or only a normal price and nothing else. So let’s see, they are still negotiating but for sure there is a possibility of a release clause in Donnarumma’s contract, yes,” he stated.
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