Manchester United Transfer News: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Moussa Dembele Rumours

Manchester United are favourites to sign AC Milan goalkeeping sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma, as the club eye a potential long-term replacement for David De Gea.

That's according to Steve Bates of the Sunday Mirror, who has suggested the Red Devils have been keeping tabs on the 18-year-old all season. “Manager Jose Mourinho is keen to make a contingency plan in case [De Gea] decides he wants a return to Spain,” the report continued, with Real Madrid long linked with the United No. 1.

Bates added that Manchester City are also interested in the Italy international, and it’s estimated he’d cost around £40 million.

Donnarumma is rated as the finest goalkeeping prospect in world football after a stunning start to life at AC Milan. Here’s a look at why there’s so much excitement about what he can achieve in the game:

Donnarumma was drafted into the Rossoneri side as a 16-year-old, and, despite his tender years, he’s taken to Serie A with incredible maturity.

Not only is he a superb shot-stopper, the Italian has good command of his penalty area, is sharp off his line and astute in his distribution. Given he has so many years ahead of him and potentially more improvements to make, it’s no huge surprise some of the biggest clubs in European football are being linked.

However, Milan want to re-establish themselves as a superpower once again, and he’s on the right track to becoming a legendary figure at the San Siro, as these numbers from Squawka Football show:

It’s why even a club of United’s calibre may find it difficult to prise the Italian away, as Donnarumma can be a crucial figure in any renaissance they put together.

In terms of longevity and quality, the teenager would be a brilliant acquisition, even for a fee of £40 million. But Milan will do all they can to keep hold of a young man with the potential to be one of the finest Italian players of his generation.

United Linked with Moussa Dembele

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday, Manchester United will battle Chelsea for Celtic forward Moussa Dembele.

In the piece it’s suggested the club are already eyeing up possible replacements for captain Wayne Rooney, who is expected to depart Old Trafford at the end of the season. “They sent chief scout Jim Lawlor to watch [Dembele] against Motherwell last weekend, when he scored his 27th goal of the season,” the report continued.

Dembele has excelled at Celtic since his move from Fulham in the summer, taking the Scottish top flight by storm. He’s netted frequently, and his recent form has been very special, as we can see here courtesy of OptaJean:

In the piece it’s noted that United also hold an interest in Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, although he would reportedly cost an extortionate amount. But should Rooney leave, there’d be a sizeable void to fill in the squad, and, as such, it’d be no shock to see the Red Devils spend big on a replacement.

Dembele represents a fascinating alternative. There’s no doubt he has the talent and temperament to thrive at a higher level, although his recent development has aligned with regular minutes on the pitch. It’s crucial that if he does move on in the summer, he continues to get consistent opportunities.