Manchester United Transfer News: Gianluigi Donnarumma Blow, Latest Rumours

Milan’s teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma is reportedly poised to pen a new deal with the Serie A giants, despite reported interest from Manchester United.

James Cambridge of the Daily Express cites “reports in Italy” which note the 16-year-old goalkeeper is set to agree to a contract extension at the San Siro that’d see him earn around £1 million a year. According to Cambridge, Donnarumma will “snub” the Red Devils in order to commit his future to the Rossoneri.

Despite having David De Gea, one of the finest goalkeepers in world football, at their disposal, it’s easy to see why a club of United’s stature would have a close eye on the progress of the Italian, who became the youngest ‘keeper ever to start a game in the Italian top flight earlier this season.

As OptaPaolo noted recently, despite his tender years, in his four appearances for Milan, he’s performed admirably between the sticks:

Indeed, it’s no surprise to see comparisons between the youngster and veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The Milan man, like the Italy icon, has excelled in his teenage years and stylistically, is very similar to Buffon; Donnarumma has shown a willingness to command his area, make sharp stops and get Milan going with sharp distribution.

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Matteo Bonetti of beIN Sports was extremely impressed with the 16-year-old’s most recent outing for Milan, a 0-0 draw with Atalanta:

United and a host of other top clubs would definitely love to get their hands on Donnarumma, who has the potential to be around for the next couple of decades. However, he’s still in the nascent stages of his career, and signing a new deal with Milan would be a smart decision for a young man destined for the top.

De Gea Advised to Stay at Old Trafford

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David De Gea’s former manager at Atletico Madrid, Quique Sanchez Flores, has advised the Manchester United goalkeeper to stay at the club despite coming close to joining Real Madrid last summer.

Flores, now the Watford boss, will come face to face with De Gea when their respective sides meet on Saturday. The former Atletico Madrid manager gave the ‘keeper his debut at the Vicente Calderon and revealed he’s delighted with his former player’s development, per Jon Harvey of Metro:

"

When I arrived at Atletico Madrid he was third-choice keeper and after one month he was first, because he was amazing. I am really pleased with the evolution of David. He is in the top three best goalkeepers in the world. He has everything. I got a present after two years when we separated—it was a watch, antique, golden on a chain, that I have kept—so he is a very lovely guy. 

It would be perfect for David and for the Premier League to keep him in English football for long. He has learned a lot playing here in England.

"

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A deal collapsed late on in the summer transfer window that would have taken De Gea to the Spanish capital, prompting the goalkeeper to pen an extended contract at Old Trafford. Since then, the 25-year-old has not looked back, helping United to the finest defensive record in the Premier League this season.

As noted by United writer OffsideLiam, De Gea and Chris Smalling have both been magnificent at the base of the team:

A move to Real Madrid could still materialise down the line. After all, as a Madrid-born man himself, De Gea will find the prospect of playing his football at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside some of the finest players in the world especially enticing. So it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Los Blancos were to come back in for him.

Encouragingly for United fans, the club find themselves in a much better position after the hyperbolic summer. De Gea seems delighted with life at Old Trafford, is playing well and a critical part of a team set to challenge for major honours. Madrid may well lament missing their chance in the previous transfer window.