Gianluigi Donnarumma to disappoint suitors by signing long-term AC Milan contract

It looked like a transfer saga which would rumble on well past the point of acceptability, but news today suggests that it may have ended surprisingly early.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, the young Italian goalkeeper who was massively criticised for telling his boyhood club AC Milan he wanted to leave mere months after kissing the badge, will reportedly sign a new long-term contract at the club. The news, which was reported by Sky Sport Italia, will come as a disappointment to the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus; all of whom had been linked with interest in the 18-year-old. According to the report, he will sign a five year deal worth approximately £5.25 million-per-year, an improvement upon the deal rejected by agent Mino Raiola last month. As part of the contract, Donnarumma's release clause has been set at £88 million if the Milanese club qualify for the Champions League, and half that if they fail to do so. Interestingly, the deal will also see Donnarumma's older brother Antonio join the club as his understudy. Antonio came up through the ranks at Milan as a youth player. While the deal is undoubtedly good news for Milan and the player, it will be interesting to see whether their fans are willing to forgive someone who asked to leave quite so recently.