Former Napoli director of sport Pierpaolo Marino has defended agent Mino Raiola over his role in Gigio Donnarumma's AC Milan bust-up.

Donnarumma rejected Milan's contract offer last week.

“I saw it coming, as when you reach the final year of a contract, which in reality is six months because in January you can sign for another club, you are practically on loan," Marino told Tuttomercatoweb.

“It's not Raiola's fault, he does his job very well. The problem is why was Donnarumma allowed to reach the final year of his contract like this?

“It's partly to do with the delays over the closing, partly the previous directors, but there are some legal tricks to lock down a player who due to his age can only sign a limited contract. You just need to get the agent to sign a legal document.

“During the closing, they should've got the situation organised rather than keeping everything on ice. This just played into Raiola and Donnarumma's hands."