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Transfer news: Gianluigi Donnarumma puts Chelsea on alert while Manchester City 'pay record fee' for 13-year-old

Evan Bartlett
Donnarumma is seen as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon in the list of Italian goalkeeping greats: Getty Images
Donnarumma is seen as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon in the list of Italian goalkeeping greats: Getty Images

AC Milan's highly-rated young goalkeeper Gianluigi ​Donnarumma has put Europe's top clubs on alert after stalling on a new contract.

The 17-year-old has established himself in the Italian giants' first-team after making his breakthrough last season but with his contract running out in 2018, clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs.

According to Milanese paper Il Giornale, agent Mino Raiola wants his client to wait for the proposed takeover by the Sino Europe Sports group to complete before any decision is made.

Chelsea's interest in the Italian stopper is understandable if the latest rumours surrounding their No1 Thibaut Courtois are to be believed.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer and The Sun reports the Belgian 'keeper is keen to move back to a city he lived in for three years while playing for Real's rivals Atletico.

The goalkeeping merrygoround in west London doesn't stop there, however, The Blues are said to have put a £12m price tag on back-up Asmir Begovic amid reported interest from Bournemouth.

Despite the 29-year-old Bosnian playing just four times for Chelsea this season, the south coast club are thought to see him as a long-term option to replace their 36-year-old stopper Artur Boruc.

Elsewhere, West Brom have reportedly agreed a deal with Hull City for midfielder Jake Livermore.

The 27-year-old is said to have attended a medical at the Hawthorns on Thursday ahead of a proposed £10m deal, according to Sky Sports.

Another man said to be on his way to the Baggies is Watford striker Odion Ighalo.

The two clubs have agreed a fee of £17m according to Sky Sports, despite the player scoring just twice this season.

If Oghalo does make the switch to the West Midlands he could replace wantaway striker Saido Berahino who is said to be on his way up the M6 to Stoke.

The Potters are said to have agreed a £12m deal for a player who has been sidelined at the Hawthorns since pushing for a transfer to Tottenham in August 2015.

According to the Stoke Sentinel, Mark Hughes has been told by the club's hierarchy that he can sign Berahino even if Bojan Krkic's move away - most likely to Middlesbrough - doesn't go through.

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Another player frozen out of the first team at his club, Ashley Young, could also be on his way - but to the riches of the Far East instead of Staffordshire.

The Daily Mirror reports the Manchester United winger is weighing up an offer from Shandong Luneng - and who can blame him? The Chinese Super League side are said to have put a deal worth £16m-a-year on the table - after tax. The only downside? Young will have to suffer coach Felix Magath's notoriously brutal training sessions.

West Ham have agreed a fee of £8m for Southampton defender Jose Fonte after he handed in a transfer request, according to ESPN.

Vincent Janssen has rejected an approach from Galatasaray to fight for his place in the Tottenham first-team, according to Dutch broadaster Omroep Brabant.

And finally... Manchester City are said to have paid a record transfer fee to sign a 13-year-old.

Pep Guardiola's side, who yesterday completed the signing of Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, reportedly paid Southend £175,000 for the services of Finley Burns.

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