According to reports from the Sun, Chelsea are preparing a huge bid for Gianluigi Donnarumma as they look to sign a desired replacement for the departing Thibaut Courtois. The Milan goalkeeper, along with Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel, has been identified as the ideal replacement for the Belgian.
However, Chelsea’s interest in Donnarumma was registered after their failed attempts to sign Alisson, who is now a Liverpool player. Even though it was reported that newly appointed Maurizio Sarri has tried to pursue the Brazilian international to a move to West London, Liverpool smashed the previous transfer record for a goalkeeper and moved quicker than the rest.
Thus, the Blues have shifted their focus to a more achievable target in Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 19-year-old is regarded as one the most promising goalkeepers in world football but his incredible growth has stifled to an extent in the past couple of seasons with the keeper’s relationship with his club turning somewhat sour.
Even though the talented Donnarumma has still managed to establish himself as Milan’s first choice keeper, his assured place in the starting lineup could be in jeopardy next season, due to the arrival of Pepe Reina. Milan, themselves, are also in a spot of bother at the moment as far as their financial stability is concerned and thus, the departure of their prized goalkeeper could help them stabilise their financial structure ahead of the start of the new campaign.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will be delighted to sign the 19-year-old, if Thibaut Courtois indeed departs. The Belgian will believe he has earned a big money move to Real Madrid, following a splendid World Cup campaign that saw him secure the Golden Glove. Los Blancos are reportedly planning a €35 million bid, which they feel should be enough to swoop him away from Chelsea, thus, accentuating the need of Donnarumma next season.
Even though doubts remain on whether the relatively young keeper will be able to take on the mantle of becoming the first choice keeper for Chelsea so quickly after moving in, it’s probably fair to mention that the Italian international has featured in over 120 competitive matches for Milan, arguably making him the most experienced young keeper in world football.
What also makes Donnarumma an appealing target for Chelsea is the fact that the Italian is not expected to cost a fortune due to the aforementioned problem Milan are going through. Therefore, the Blues fans will be keen to see if this highly rated keeper can fill the void which will be left by Thibaut Courtois this summer.
