Manchester United Transfer News: Gianluigi Donnarumma Interest, Chelsea Rumours

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on AC Milan’s star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

That’s according to Mediaset (h/t Teddy Cutler of Newsweek), which suggested the Premier League duo are “lurking around” the 17-year-old sensation, who burst on to the scene in spectacular style at the San Siro last term.

Donnarumma is already rated as one of the best goalkeepers in Italian football, having forced his way into the starting XI of the seven-time European champions. Here is a look at some of the best moments from his breakthrough year:

Naturally, there’s been a lot of hype about the teenager, who has already been tipped to be Italian football’s next great goalkeeper. The Milan man is commanding off his line, smart in his distribution and has made some brilliant saves in Serie A already.

As noted by BigSport, Donnarumma’s rise has been a rapid one, both with Milan and the national team, where comparisons have inevitably been triggered between himself and Gianluigi Buffon:

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Born 484 days after Buffon made his Italy debut. Donnarumma is now training with his hero. Amazing! pic.twitter.com/IZXBuzuv15

— BigSport (@BigSportGB) September 3, 2016"

Indeed, the Juventus stopper stated recently the teenager was "the chosen one" after Donnarumma was called up to the senior squad by new Italy boss Giampiero Ventura, per Jonny Singer of MailOnline. So perhaps it’s little surprise to read two of European football’s biggest clubs are keen on landing the youngster.

In a position that is so unforgiving, it’s rare to see a footballer emerge at such a young age who possesses so much confidence. United and Chelsea may feel as though it’d be beneficial to swoop for the player now before his reputation and valuation inevitably grows any further.

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

However, for the goalkeeper, a big-money move so early in his career may not be ideal. Milan have handed him the chance to show his talent, and, given the recent struggles of the Rossoneri, there isn’t a huge deal of expectation on Donnarumma at the moment—that would change if he left.

United aren’t in desperate need of a new goalkeeper either, as they have David De Gea between the sticks. These numbers from WhoScored.com show the former Atletico Madrid man is one of the best stoppers in the world:

Per Cutler, there has been some speculation in the past linking the Spaniard with a potential move to Real Madrid, although that’s been quelled by De Gea agreeing a new contract at Old Trafford last season and the rise of Keylor Navas at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

In addition, it would be a huge gamble for Donnarumma to disrupt a desirable current dynamic. He’s still got a lot to learn about the game on and off the field, and that’s a process he’s undergoing with distinction at the San Siro.

United and Chelsea may present alluring options, but there’s plenty of time in the goalkeeper's career to explore other glamorous avenues.