AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini has now confirmed that contract negotiations are on hold regarding Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Rossoneri are currently in a fierce battle to qualify for the Champions League next season, with just four games remaining in the current Serie A campaign.
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As things stand, we’re heading back to Europe’s top table, but much can still change especially given we face direct rivals Juventus and Atalanta in our remaining games.
With that in mind and what is at stake, the focus for Stefano Pioli and the players has to be entirely on matters on the pitch, but the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Donnarumma’s future given his current contract expires in just over a month’s time, has been problematic.
Milan’s approach is now clear though, as per MilanNews, who note that Maldini has put renewal talks on hold for Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu, with the latter in the same situation.
It’s noted in the report that it comes after a tense meeting between Donnarumma and the Ultras, which is said to have left our first-choice goalkeeper upset.
“From this moment, every single negotiation for renewals is frozen until the end of the season, to allow the team to focus solely on the championship,” Maldini is quoted as saying. “In the meantime, we will continue to protect our players as we have always done.”
That is ultimately the most sensible strategy at this point, albeit it’s far from ideal that Milan have left it this late and risk losing key players for nothing at the end of the season.
That said, if we achieve our objective and qualify for the Champions League, it surely makes contract negotiations a lot easier, and it’s hoped that we can turn that into a reality and subsequently Donnarumma commits his long-term future to us.
Meanwhile, MilanNews also report, via Tuttomercatoweb, that to date, the only offer on the table for the 22-year-old is from Milan, with no concrete interest from clubs either in Italy or around Europe.
There is still no agreement between the two parties though, and while it’s reassuring that there might not be any rival offers involved for now, that situation could quickly change if Donnarumma appears to be set for an exit.
