Chelsea target set to leave Serie A side as a free agent after 251 appearances

Transfer News: Chelsea target Gianluigi Donnarumma to leave AC Milan as free agent

According to transfer news from Daily Star, Chelsea target Gianluigi Donnarumma is all set to leave AC Milan as a free agent. Milan director Paolo Maldini confirmed the same and the Italian shot-stopper will leave the club after eight seasons.

The Italian international has already established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The fact that he has done it at such an early age is even more impressive. It also means that he is still not a finished product. After all, the Italian stopper is just 22 years old and has 251 appearances so far for Il Rossoneri.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Gianluigi Donnarumma of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on February 28, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

Donnarumma has not signed a new contract

Donnarumma has been in the news, with his contract set to end this season and no extension being agreed. That attracted the attention of clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, who wanted to sign the keeper on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Now, it has been reported that the keeper will indeed be leaving his boyhood club as a free agent. A new contract could not be agreed upon as technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed the same.

“People sometimes don’t realise what it means to be a professional, it means you must be ready to change club. It’s difficult to accept, I realise. It’s also increasingly difficult to see a career in one team. We must respect those who gave so much to Milan and remember Donnarumma did not lack respect for us. It can happen that at times you have to take different paths. I can only wish him the best.”

IPP20210421 Football – soccer: Serie A, AC Mailand – Sassuolo Calcio, Paolo Maldini e Frederic Massara dirigente del Milan Verwendung nur in Deutschland. Football soccer Serie A, AC Milan Sassuolo Calcio, Paolo Maldini e Frederic Massara dirigente del Milan.

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While Chelsea already have Edouard Mendy, who has been very reliable, the chance to pass up on signing a keeper like Donnarumma would seem foolish. His addition may well secure the spot between the posts for a good 10-12 years.