Jose Mourinho will look to capitalise on a spectacular blunder from the agent of AC Milan shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma after the 22-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the month.
Donnarumma is the client of notorious super agent Mino Raiola, who boasts a star-studded list of cliental that includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.
Raiola is to blame over the fact that a player once deemed the 'Maradona of goalkeepers', as well as being the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A when he played against Sassuolo at just 16 years and 242 days old is set to walk out of AC Milan for free.
Milan's loss could be AS Roma's gain, as Mourinho is reportedly working tirelessly to pull off what would be one of the best free transfers in Serie A history.
The astronomical wage demands from Raiola are thought to be putting a number of clubs off, hence why a keeper once so highly rated is garnering little to no interest from Premier League clubs despite still possessing the kind of talent that has seen him cement his status as AC Milan's number one for the last six years.
Donnarumma enjoyed a successful season personally, with his 14 clean sheets in 37 games going some way to ensure AC Milan finish second and secure Champions League for the first time since 2014.
Raiola's relations with AC Milan have been frosty ever since he balked at their £80,000-a-week offer for a then-17 -year-old Donnarumma, who was the subject of interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the time which lead the super agent to claim he was ready to move his client elsewhere.
Milan publicly voiced their annoyance, declaring: "We were taken by surprise, as we had hoped Donnarumma would be the goalkeeper taking Milan into the future, that we could build the team around.
"Naturally, the decision leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but now we have to go forward."
Fast forward one month and the 'keeper had signed a mega-money four-year deal with a major bump in wages and the inclusion of a £60million release clause.
At the time, Donnarumma said: "I say sorry to the fans, I repeat that I have never had the intention of betraying them and I thank them for all the support they have given me in these two seasons.
Where will Donnarumma end up? Have your say in the comments below.
"I was raised at this club and I never had any doubts in my head about staying."
His apology was made to look insincere just one season later, when his lawyers wrote to the club declaring the contract extension signed in the summer was done so under duress and that he was pressured to do so.
Inevitably, fans did not take kindly to this and unveiled a banner at the next game which read: "Psychological violence worth €6m a year. It’s time to leave - our patience is over", and chanted “Donnarumma piece of s***”, "Donnarumma get out".
This prompted the player to take to Instagram to protest his innocence, writing: "It was a bad evening, one I did not expect. I have never said or written that I suffered moral violence when I signed the contract.
"Despite everything I look forward with my head focused on the next game. Forza Milan!”
Similar issues have reared their ugly head again this season, only this time - AC Milan appear unwilling to play Raiola's games. With Donnarumma's contract winding to a close, Raiola attempted to get the Italian giants to increase his already staggering £195,000-a-week wage, only to be rebuffed and have any talk of another contract pulled from the table.
Milan technical director Paolo Maldini appeared to confirm a parting of ways during an interview on the club's official Twitch channel last week.
"He was a protagonist, a leader and often a captain," he said of Donnorumma. "A professional must also be ready to change his shirt. It is increasingly difficult to start a career in one place and finish it there.
"We must thank those who gave so much for Milan and Gigio did it, without ever disrespecting the club. Our paths divide here and I can only wish him the best."
