News broke yesterday that AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will not be extending his deal with the club following a meeting between his agent Mino Raiola and AC Milan officials.
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.
However Raiola and his client wanted a better deal, including a €10 million release clause if the Rossoneri failed to qualify for the Champions League.
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And it's now official that the boyhood Milan fan will not be staying at Milan beyong the 2017/18 season.
The club's CEO Marco Fassone issued the following statement:
"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.
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"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."
Donnarumma's head has evidently been turned, as only last year he outlined his intentions to sign a new contract, and dreamt of becoming the club's captain at some point down the line.
"I really like the idea of renewing my contract and I also like to think I will have a lasting relationship with Milan for the coming years," he said to Gazzetta dello Sport.
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"I've always been a Milan supporter and I must say the captain's armband is a dream of mine, a crowning achievement in my career path.
Just a year on though, and things have changed dramatically - with Donnarumma potentially leaving to PSG or Real Madrid this summer as opposed to leaving for a free in a year's time.
Former Rossoneri goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi, who was in between the sticks for six years between 1974 and 1980, has criticised Donnarumma's decision - saying he has "bertrayed" the San Siro club and that he is not even a great goalkeeper at this stage in his career.
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Speaking to ItaSportPress, he said
"It's crazy that an 18-year-old kid can turn down an important contract offered by a big club like Milan to go who knows where.
"He might not even be the first choice elsewhere, because he still hasn't proved that he is a great goalkeeper. He's done well at Milan, but also made some errors with worrying ups and downs.
"He betrayed Milan, turning his back on a great club that put its faith in him and launched him in Serie A at the age of 17. I think the lad should've made his will clear to his agent, because the athletes always make the final decision.
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"As far as I can tell, it was Donnarumma's desire to leave and he was 100 per cent wrong."
What do you make of Donnarumma's decision? Where he will end up?
Sound off in the comments secton below.
(h/t Football Italia)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: AC Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mino Raiola