The Gunners have been monitoring the 18-year-old closely but face a tough task in prying him away from San Siro as the jewel of the youth system nears his professional debut.
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has already christened him 'The new Pirlo' while coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is preaching caution and care in anticipation of the opening of a box that seems to contain something truly magical, and Arsenal is already looking to sign him.
At Milan, everyone is in total agreement: the next Gianluigi Donnarumma will be Manuel Locatelli, a cornerstone of Cristian Brocchi's Primavera side but a member of the first-team squad on a permanent basis since the January transfer window closed.