‘Buffon’s legacy’: Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of reported Everton target Gianluigi Donnarumma

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Everton are reportedly looking into a deal for AC Milan’s exceptionally talented young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The report claims that the Italian stopper is learning English with a move to the Premier League or Paris Saint-Germain his preferred options. 

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to be keen on raiding his former club for the player, who Calciomercato suggests could be available for £47 million this summer. 

Given Donnarruma is represented by superagent Mino Raiola, there is likely credence to these reports. Raiola shares a good working relationship with Marcel Brands which helped Everton conclude the eye-catching signature of Moise Kean last summer. 

Ancelotti would undoubtedly be keen. A report in The Sun from January suggested the Italian was not overly impressed with Everton and England number one Jordan Pickford. Donnarumma could easily be considered an upgrade. 

Ancelotti is also a fan. As he told Corriere dello Sport in 2017, as relayed by Goal, with an 18-year-old Donnarumma in the midst of a contract despite at the San Siro, the Everton boss felt it was the teenagers ‘legacy’ to emulate the success of Gianluigi Buffon.

“The final choice is the right one: stay at Milan.  It’s the team that he grew up with and it’s the ideal environment for him.

“I hope he gets to the top in the Rossoneri shirt, even because it will lead him to taking on Gianluigi Buffon’s legacy.”

Now whilst Pickford is a top-class keeper his performances have been inconsistent for a number of months and the Italian talent might be one of the very few clear upgrades on the market in regards to talent. 

And if Everton have the chance to sign the next Buffon at £47 million, then it is an opportunity they must take.