Football
Rob Train, Real Madrid blogger 7y

Circumstances ripe for Real Madrid to pursue Gianluigi Donnarumma

While one sizeable Real Madrid transfer rumour rumbles along against the backdrop of the Confederations Cup, another involving a sizeable man looks likely to gather momentum in the coming days.

"Man" may be pushing it a bit when referring to young Gianluigi Donnarumma, who isn't legally able to buy a beer in a number of countries. But what the AC Milan and Italy keeper lacks in life experience he more than compensates for when he pulls on his gloves.

Despite turning 18 only last February, Donnarumma has 72 senior Milan appearances and four Italy caps under his belt after being installed as number one at the San Siro aged 16 during the 2015-16 season. He has broken plenty of records through his precociousness, but here's what should matter to Real Madrid: Donnarumma has confirmed he will not sign a new deal at Milan, with his current contract expiring next summer.

As is the case with murmurs about Cristiano Ronaldo's future beyond this summer, nothing is set in stone until Aug. 31. But Donnarumma appears to have burned a bridge or two in Milan. Although reconciliation is not out of the question it won't be an easy sell, especially with Mino Raiola's digits in the pie.

The ubiquitous superagent is the force behind the current impasse. His hardball tactics over a minimum release clause are the tip of an iceberg that includes claims of Milan threatening to send Donnarumma to the stands for the final year of his contract, and the club countering by making it plain they see the Machiavellian hand of Raiola behind the player's public stance.

All of which creates a situation that Florentino Perez should be all over like knocked-off Italian cologne. It is hardly a secret that the Madrid president wants a Galactico keeper, despite Keylor Navas' undoubted quality. The current Bernabeu number one sat in limbo at Barajas airport on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2015 as Real and Manchester United fiddled with their fax machines. Although he went on to put in a spectacular shift in 2015-16, question marks over Navas' position resurfaced last season with the Costa Rica international constantly labouring under the shadow of David de Gea.

Perez may have been contrite after that debacle, but he is unlikely to disregard the availability of a hugely marketable star keeper, nor should he. Donnarumma is widely regarded as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon -- not least by Buffon himself -- and could feasibly play for another two decades. Real may have to break the €52 million fee Juventus paid Parma for Buffon in 2001, still the world record for a keeper. But if Donnarumma goes on to emulate the veteran Azurri stopper's achievements it will be a bargain by any standard, particularly if Perez can throw James Rodriguez in as part of the deal.

Even more alluringly for the Real president is that an early, suitable bid may get a move wrapped up before the squad reconvenes for preseason. Milan will not be keen on selling to a Serie A rival and Donnarumma would be number two at Juve, the most obvious domestic destination, with Buffon not planning on retiring before the 2018 World Cup. However much the Milan board would like their keeper to stay, it is also unthinkable that Donnarumma will be allowed to leave on a free next summer with cheque books fluttering across Europe. There is no love lost between Perez and Raiola -- who represents Paul Pogba among many others -- but both parties will see the benefit of a swift resolution and hands can be washed afterward.

Perez will prefer to avoid a fiasco like the De Gea affair and while Milan's door remains open to Donnarumma, if "El Presi" was to stick his head around it with an offer of €50-60m it would close behind him swiftly enough. Milan will hold out for more given Raiola's cut but in the current market another €10-20m on top is hardly an extravagance. In any case, Madrid can expect to earn a good chunk of that from sales.

Juve can dangle the carrot of replacing Buffon in a year's time but Real Madrid can do the same. Kiko Casilla may feel he would prefer a starting role elsewhere after two seasons as backup at the Bernabeu and Donnarumma can alternate with Navas in 2017-18, with Real contesting six trophies and the Italy keeper never having played in Europe.

Perez stated this week that he is happy with Navas, has all but shelved the De Gea idea and that he would sound out Zinedine Zidane over Donnarumma's situation when his manager returns from holiday. Given the player's profile and prospects, it will be no surprise if that meeting leads to a formal bid.

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