For better or worse, AC Milan's teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma has been hailed as 'the next Gigi Buffon' almost ever since he broke into the Rossoneri's first team just under two years ago.
Now, the 18-year-old goalkeeper may get the chance to realise that billing earlier than expected.
Earlier this week, news broke that the Italian teenager had turned down the offer of a substantial new contract at the San Siro, with only a year left on his current deal.
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And Juventus haven't wasted any time entering the race for Buffon's heir.
News is breaking this afternoon that Bianconeri director Beppe Moratta has confirmed that The Old Lady have officially entered the race to sign Donnarumma, who they see as Buffon's replacement when he likely retires when his contract expires, next summer.
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AC Milan director Massimiliano Mirabella has claimed that the offer the seven time European champions made Donnarumma was enormous, as they wanted to make their new wonderkid a 'symbol of Milan'.
The teenager has come in for a large amount of criticism for his apparent display of disloyalty to his current employers, who have begun a drastic rebuild of their first team since the April takeover of the San Siro club by Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux (previously Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing Co).
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Real Madrid are also believed to be interested in the 18-year-old, who has already made 72 appearances for Milan.
It had been reported last week that Juventus were set to complete a deal for Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who would serve as an understudy to Buffon for a season before taking over the number one shirt. However, a potential deal for Donnarumma could scupper those plans.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, AC Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Juventus
