When Gigi Donnarumma was departing AC Milan, it was widely expected that he might make a move to Juventus, as the Bianconeri were another top Italian club expressing interest in him. Donnarumma had established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A, and numerous reports suggested he could leave Milan before he eventually did.
As Milan encountered difficulties in retaining him, Juventus actively pursued a deal to make him their primary goalkeeper. However, there was a condition attached to his potential move to Juventus: Donnarumma would only join them if Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Seizing an opportunity, Paris Saint-Germain entered the race for his signature, further complicating matters for both Juventus and Milan. Ultimately, Donnarumma made the decision not to play for any other Italian club and opted to join the French side.
His agent, Enzo Raiola, has now spoken about the saga and said, as quoted by Il Bianconero:
“Maldini said: “Mino, we are here for something else: the Gianluigi chapter is already closed because we have already signed our goalkeeper”. That boulder fell on Donnarumma’s head.
“We, in addition to Juve, who would have only signed him at the end of the championship if Milan had not gone to the Champions League, had not made a market on Gianluigi who in January, again in order not to betray Milan, had not even wanted to listen to an offer from the future released. And he, after what happened, told us “No, I don’t want to play in Italy anymore. I would have only gone to Juve if Milan hadn’t gone to the Champions League and they would have gained from my transfer, so now I don’t want to play in Italy anymore.”
Juve FC Says
Donnarumma is one of the world’s best goalies and would have been a superb signing to replace Gigi Buffon in the long term.
However, as soon as PSG joined the race, we knew it would be complicated.
