Gianluigi Donnarumma's future at AC Milan appears increasingly uncertain after a section of fans displayed a banner demanding the goalkeeper and his "parasite" brother leave the club.
Reports emerged on Wednesday claiming Donnarumma, 18, had asked his agent, Milo Raiola, to get his Milan contract cancelled.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, there is a clause in the four-year, €6 million-a-year (Dh26m) contract Donnarumma signed in July that allows the goalkeeper to "annul" the deal.
__________________________________________
Read more:
- Fifa Club World Cup: Bale breaks Al Jazira's resistance as Real Madrid clinch final berth
- Pep Guardiola: Manchester City must not let up despite record 15th successive victory
- Newcastle United: Takeover hangs in the balance as Ashley holds out for £300m from Staveley
__________________________________________
Donnarumma is reportedly claiming that he signed his new contract under pressure from the Milan board, with Raiola even suggesting his client had received death threats before committing his future to the club.
Should Donnarumma and Raiola get their way, the goalkeeper will revert back to his previous contract, which is set to expire next summer, leaving the teenager free to negotiate with foreign clubs next month.
The reports surrounding Donnarumma's future were not well received by a section of Milan fans on Wednesday night during the club's routine 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Verona.
An enormous banner was unfurled at the San Siro aimed at Donnarumma which read: "Psychological violence by giving you €6million-a-season & signing your parasite brother? It's time to leave ... our patience with you is over!"
Television images after the game then showed Donnarumma visibly upset in the Milan changing room and being consoled by club captain Leonardo Bonucci.
Donnarumma burst onto the scene in 2015 as a 16-year-old and has since established himself as Milan's undisputed No 1.
The San Siro club spent more than €100m in the summer in a bid to recapture past glories following a spell of relative struggle, but it is Milan youngster Donnarumma who they hope will be the cornerstone of their new era.
With Donnarumma reportedly determined to leave and Milan fans out in force to express their anger, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have both been credited with an interest in the goalkeeper.
However, Milan director Massimiliano Mirabelli has said the club have no intention of selling Donnarumma.
"Our position is clear: we do not need to sell anyone," Mirabelli said. "If a player did want to leave, he would have to tell us first, then obviously a club would need to meet our demands. We will not be grabbed by the throat by anyone.
"Gigio is an exceptional lad, I spoke to him a few minutes ago and he never said he wanted to leave. Perhaps there is a gentleman who wants to organise something, but we will look out for Milan’s interests in every arena.
"We understand the fans are upset, but they ought to jeer the opposition and not our own players. It's not all Gigio's fault and we must support him, because he is part of the club's heritage.
"We must protect him, as we know where the rot is coming from. We hope to resolve this situation soon."
