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Agent: '11 top clubs' interested in Milan stud Donnarumma

Giorgio Perottino / Reuters

The summer transfer window hasn't yet opened and silly season is already in full swing.

Super-agent Mino Raiola has been doing the early summer rounds to drum up interest in his abundant stable of world-class clients, and his latest quotes on AC Milan teen sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma are certain to make Rossonneri supporters skittish.

With a year left on his current deal at the San Siro, Donnarumma's contract has become the hot topic at the club and Milan will be desperate to keep hold of the talented 18-year-old shot-stopper.

Naturally, Raiola's latest remarks have sparked talk of an exit for the Italy international.

"Gigio is the (Diego) Maradona of goalkeepers," Raiola told Corriere dello Sport. "He can only get even better and we need to leave him to grow in peace. He's not a slave, nor is he a robot.

"There are 11 top clubs interested in him - Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Napoli, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Everton."

For any Milan supporters approaching unabated hysteria, Raiola does mitigate his comments by admitting there hasn't yet been any efforts by his client to leave the club.

"Donnarumma's contract expires on June 30, 2018," Raiola said. "I've never said to (Milan general manager Marco) Fassone and (sporting director Massimiliano) Mirabelli that either we sign now or we never sign. If I had wanted him to go elsewhere, we would already have done it, don't you think?

"I can understand the Milan fans' stress and the fans' expectations. Gigio is a club symbol and, for the new owners, it would be ideal to end negotiations on a new contract today. In fact, yesterday. But Fassone and Mirabelli only assumed their positions just over a month ago."

A master in both hyperbole and ambiguity, Raiola adds that nothing concerning Donnarumma's future has been sorted.

"I assume all the responsibility for the final decision that we take. If you ask me if there is still a chance that Donnarumma signs a new contract with Milan, then the answer is yes. If you ask me if there is a chance that Donnarumma leaves, then the answer is yes."

The youngest 'keeper to ever play for Italy, Donnarumma has made 68 Serie A appearances for Milan, conceding 74 times while registering 23 clean sheets.

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