Many fans and football analysts alike were shocked when AC Milan's star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma announced via his agent Mino Raiola that he would not be renewing his contract with The Italian club. Many worried that his move away from the club was inevitable as Juventus, Real Madrid, and Manchester United were all linked with the 18-year-old. However, those fears were put to rest Tuesday when AC Milan announced on their official Twitter page that Donnarumma had signed a new four-year deal, keeping him with the club until 2021.
The tweet reads "#ACMilan announces they have extended the contract of @gigiodonna1" until June 30, 2021."
Summer Incidents
After the initial news had broken that Donnarumma would not be extending his AC Milan contract, Rossoneri fans were angered with the 18-year-old. That frustration led to several fans throwing fake money at Donnarumma while he was playing for Italy's U-21 side in the U-21 European Championships against Denmark on June 18. That led to the masses giving him the nickname "Dollarumma" on social media, a nickname that suits him even more now that he became the third highest-earning goalkeeper in Europe after signing his new deal with Milan.
If that wasn't enough, Donnarumma faced criticism again on July 8 after it was revealed that he skipped his college entrance exams to go on vacation with his girlfriend in Ibiza.
What this means for Milan
Re-signing a key potential-filled player like Donnarumma was the cherry-on-top of a pretty good summer transfer window for AC Milan. Now they should try to rise from years of mediocrity in Serie A. "It's been a long soap opera, but it was important we got this final result," head coach Vincenzo Montella told the Italian media.
"He's one of our players now -- in fact, he is already a key player." With Milan's revamped defense including the acquisitions of Andrea Conti, Ricardo Rodriguez, and Mateo Musacchio, the midfield additions of Hakan Calhanoglu and 20-year-old Franck Kessie and the attacking addition of Andre Silva, AC Milan look good heading into next season.
Milan has also formed a good core group of young, talented Italian players, which include Donnarumma, but are still in need of more scoring and need to try and sign a striker to help out Carlos Bacca up front. Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata was rumored to be linked to the club, and signing him would do wonders for the Rossoneri, but that move now seems highly unlikely. Still, it seems Milan is improving little by little and only time will tell if they become a title contender in the future.
