AC Milan's Brilliant Ploy To Try And Get Donnarumma To Sign A New Deal

Just over a week ago, news broke that Gianluigi Donnarumma had turn down a new contract at AC Milan.

With a year remaining, Milan were desperate to tie down their prize asset to a new and improved contract, and are said to have offered the 18 year-old a €4.5 million-per-year deal, with bonuses also coming into play.

Here's Donnarumma's reaction to having fake money thrown at him by fans at the Under 21 European Championships:

However Mino Raiola and his client wanted a better deal, including a €10 million release clause if Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Image: PA

The club's CEO Marco Fassone issued the following statement, making it abundantly clear that Donnarumma won't be staying with the club beyond 2018:

"Raiola informed us that Donnarumma has made a definitive decision not to renew the contract with Milan.

"We had made a strong proposal. The player evaluated it and made some evaluations that were not just economic, but he told us that he does not wish to renew the contract and his time with Milan will therefore conclude by June 30, 2018.

"We were taken by surprise, as we had hoped Donnarumma would be the goalkeeper taking Milan into the future. Naturally, the decision leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but now we have to go forward."

Immediately after the rejection was announced, both PSG and Real Madrid were linked with the 18-year old, but the situation appears to have improved slightly, with Donnarumma signing a new deal still a possibility.

Image: PA

And in order to get their No.1 goalkeeper to sign on the dotted line, Milan have a brilliant tactic in mind.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, via Milan Live, the San Siro club want to persuade Donnarumma to sign a new contract by signing his older brother, Antonio.

The 26-year old, also a goalkeeper, was in the youth ranks at Milan earlier in his career but never had a first-team appearance.

He now plays for Greek outfit Asteras Tripoli and it's thought his addition could boost Milan's chances of retaining the younger Donnarumma for a few more seasons.

Mattia Perin of Genoa and Juventus understudy Neto appear to the two options Milan will explore if Donnarumma doesn't put pen to paper.

(h/t Calcio Mercato

Topics: AC Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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