Reports: Manchester United set to be involved in two world record deals this summer

Donnarumma is already the No. 1 goalkeeper at AC Milan despite being just 17 years of age

What’s the story?

Manchester United are set to be involved in two record-breaking transfers this summer. In one transfer, they will be the buying club while in another they would be the selling side.

A Daily Mirror report suggests that the Red Devils are eyeing a move for Gianluigi Donnarumma as a replacement for David De Gea, who will be heading to Real Madrid. The fee that Jose Mourinho would pay for the AC Milan goalkeeper is said to be around £50 million while De Gea will be sold to Madrid for £66 million.

In case you didn’t know...

Gianluigi Buffon is still the most expensive goalkeeper in the world despite his signing by Juventus for €53 million occurring in 2001. Bayern Munich are the only other club to have spent big on a goalkeeper, when they signed Manuel Neuer for €22 million from FC Schalke 04. 

Real Madrid have been tracking De Gea for a long time now while Donnarumma is dubbed as the next big thing in world football. He’s become AC Milan’s #1 choice keeper despite being just 17 years.

The AC Milan youngster reportedly has a contract stand-off at San Siro as his agent, Mino Raiola is trying to get him a £160,000 a week contract. Raiola is the same agent who played a crucial role in taking Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford for a world record £89 million last summer.

The heart of the matter

Manchester United have reportedly accepted defeat in their quest to hold on to De Gea. The Spaniard is keen on joining Real Madrid in the summer and is forcing a move according to reports. 

They have now set sights on getting Donnarumma as a replacement for the Spaniard and are willing to meet AC Milan’s demands of £50 million for him. Should the deal go through, it would turn out to be a record fee ever paid for a goalkeeper. 

Madrid are planning a ‘Galacticos 3.0’ this summer and see the United goalkeeper as one of their top signings. They have reportedly agreed a £66 million deal with the Old Trafford side, which will break the £50 million transfer record for a goalkeeper that Manchester United will pay for Donnarumma.

What’s next?

Manchester United will make a move for Donnarumma in the summer and ensure that they sign him before shipping De Gea off to Madrid. The Red Devils know that replacing the Spaniard is going to be a tough task and that the only replacement available right now is the AC Milan shot-stopper.

Author’s Take

Madrid and United are the richest clubs in the world and both the teams want to challenge for the title in every season. It’s not a surprise that they are plotting moves for top players, but still, the fee they are paying is always going to be questionable.