AC Milan ‘keeping a tight grip’ on Donnarumma

AC Milan intend to keep hold of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to their sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG are among the clubs to have been linked with the 19-year-old, who is seen as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon’s throne in the Italy national team goal.

Speculation has persistently surrounded Donnarumma, thanks in no small part to agent Mino Raiola, which has led to a strained relationship with Milan supporters.

The Rossoneri have been linked with Pepe Reina amid reports they will look to cash in on Donnarumma this summer, but after their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Thursday night, Mirabelli insisted the club have no such plans.

“Apart from his mistake, he played a great game tonight,”the sporting director told reporters after Milan’s Europa League exit.

“We want him to stay with us for a long time. He’s a gem of ours and the whole of Italy, and we’re keeping a tight grip on him.”

Recently, Italian ‘super-agent’ Raiola lifted the lid on the situation surrounding ‘Gigio’.

Raiola told Rai: “Donnarumma made a choice which is to stay at Milan, and I respect that.

“However, If he was to ask me to leave I would immediately work on it because there are important requests.

“In fact if it was up to me Gigio would leave Milan.”