Will Juventus sign Gianluigi Donnarumma for free this summer?

The next few months, in particular, could mark the end of an old yet magnificent “Gianluigi” and the emergence of a new yet compelling “Gianluigi”. Bewildered, we will enthusiastically be waiting for the drama to unfold, however. Are you confused? Well, don’t be, because Gianluigi Donnarumma could ultimately be the man to replace Gianluigi Buffon.

Currently third on the Serie A table, Juventus haven’t had to suffer much from goalkeeping howlers — a few perplexed situations caused by a few miscommunications between the goalkeepers and the defenders here and there but nothing that severe to make the headlines so far this season.

Twelve points adrift of the Serie A table-toppers Inter Milan, the Bianconeri have kept eight clean sheets having conceded the fewest goals (27) in 30 league matches this season. Although there were some initial clamours about Gianluigi Buffon hanging his gloves after the ongoing 2020-21 campaign, recent reports from several Italian outlets have voiced otherwise.

Nevertheless, an extension has not been agreed yet between the Old Lady and the veteran, with the 43-year-old’s contract running out in June 2021.

What is the current situation with the other “Gianluigi”?

Just like the older “Gianluigi”, the younger “Gianluigi”, Gianluigi Donnarumma, will see his current contract with AC Milan getting expired in June 2021, earning him the tag of a free agent in the approaching summer transfer window.

Frankly, AC Milan wants to keep the shot-stopper at the club. And as the report from Football Italia suggests, the Rossoneri have consequently handed the 22-year-old contract renewal offers twice this season and eventually faced rejection both times.

Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, wants to secure a new contract of around  €12 million per year for his client. On the other hand, Milan are eager to offer him an annual salary of €7 million-plus €1 million in various performance-related add-ons, which would ultimately make him the second-highest paid player in Serie A behind Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, who understandably pockets an annual wage of €6 million in his current contract, is unwilling to put pen to a contract that promises him a potential  €2 million raise. Instead, he prefers to earn the same amount of money and play for a club outside Italy.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain are the clubs believed to be interested in securing the services for the current AC Milan vice-captain this summer. It is needless to say but those aforementioned clubs have the financial stability to back their dream of signing Donnarumma by paying an exorbitant salary. But do AC Milan have the courage to deny that opportunity? Only time will tell.

What could a new goalkeeping acquisition mean to Szczesny’s future?

The senior goalkeeping rank of the current Juventus roster averages an age of 34.7 years, with Buffon (43) being the oldest individual respectively followed by Carlo Pinsoglio (31) and Wojciech Szczesny (30).

While Carlo Pinsoglio, being an academy graduate, has always been loyal to Juve and his role as a third-choice shot-stopper at the Turin-based club, the fray for the first place in the team has mostly revolved around the remaining two.

Since joining the Piedmontese club in 2017 from AS Roma, Wojciech Szczesny has established himself as a formidable equivalent of “Gigi” Buffon, gradually receiving the deserving praise from Juventini with commendable performances.

Over the last three season, he has won three Scudetto with Juve, registering 1,530 (in 2017-18), 2,520 (in 2018-19), and 2,591(in 2019-20) minutes under the belt. This season, the poor league form of Juventus have had its side effects on Szczesny’s individual performance, with the Poland international maintaining the lowest save percentage of 71.8 this term as a Juventus professional.

The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma could put an end to the rich run of game time that the Pole has kept getting from his manager. Wojciech Szczesny is a well-cherished talent, and at 30, he, unlike an outfield player, is currently enjoying his peak days as an expert goalkeeper. He won’t surely be interested in passing his days by warming the substitute bench.

And furthermore, it is hard to determine whether he still possesses that driving force of going into another inter-squad war for the first place goalkeeping spot after earning it from the old “Gianluigi” three years ago.

Is a deal possible for Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer?

On paper, everything is possible in today’s footballing market. And considering the healthy relationship between Juventus and Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola, chances of Juventus striking down a deal this summer for the 22-year-old seems higher.

But the enormous salary of the player could install a massive hindrance in front of the club. Juventus have the money, that’s for sure. But they have other priorities too. A midfielder, a central striker, a left-back…and the list goes on. Therefore, it would rather be uncanny for them to pursue the Italian no. 01 before ticking the positions that need to be ticked in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Plus, paying such high wages could evoke a dejected environment within the squad — a situation that an inexperienced manager in Andrea Pirlo would never wish to deal with. Having played over 240 games for AC Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma will be demanding a starting place in the team right away — an aspect that would be demoralizing for Szczesny.

Though, those are totally hypothetical scenarios with hypothetical consequences. La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News) in their latest report writes that AC Milan have submitted another contract extension offer in what could be their final attempt to tie down Gianluigi Donnarumma.

There is a general feeling that if Milan qualify for the Champions League 2021-22, Donnarumma will sign a new contract with the San Siro faithful, for the sake of the childish love he holds for the club and what the club has done for him in return so far. And then, Juventus could plan their immediate future with none other than Wojciech Szczesny.