Gianluigi Donnarumma's career at Paris St-Germain seems to be reaching a pivotal moment as he was notably excluded from the recent Uefa Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur. This decision follows the club's recent acquisition of Lucas Chevalier from Lille, leading many to speculate about Donnarumma's uncertain future in Paris. As a goalkeeper once considered a frontrunner for the title of the world's best, this turn of events raises questions about his next steps.
Sources within Manchester City have characterized the rumors regarding discussions with Donnarumma as mere speculation. However, they have not entirely dismissed the possibility of a transfer, especially if their current number one, Ederson, decides to leave. Insiders at PSG have indicated that they would not be surprised if the Italian international ultimately finds his way to the Premier League champions.
This summer, City did extend an offer for Donnarumma, yet head coach Luis Enrique clarified on Tuesday that he is now in search of a different profile of goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Donnarumma's agent, Enzo Raiola, revealed that the goalkeeper was willing to accept a salary reduction to remain in Paris. This claim has been refuted by PSG officials, who assert that the salary proposed would have positioned Donnarumma among the highest-paid goalkeepers globally.
Both parties are now keen on facilitating a transfer to mitigate any rising tensions, with PSG aiming to recoup some financial benefit from what was initially a free transfer four years ago. Currently, Manchester City has four senior goalkeepers on their roster, which complicates the potential acquisition of Donnarumma. Reports have circulated that City has reached an agreement to sign him, but sources close to the player have clarified to BBC Sport that no such discussions have taken place.
Ederson has been linked with a transfer to Galatasaray, but City officials have expressed a desire for him to remain in Manchester. The Brazilian goalkeeper is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has indicated his intention to stay. However, the situation could shift if the club receives a compelling offer.
City's goalkeeping competition is robust, with James Trafford joining from Burnley and Marcus Bettinelli coming on board as the third-choice option this summer. Consequently, Stefan Ortega appears to be on his way out, making it essential for City to secure a replacement should Ederson depart. This scenario naturally leads back to Donnarumma, although no contact has occurred between the parties thus far. However, with the transfer window still open, developments could unfold rapidly.
The question remains: how does Donnarumma stack up against City's current goalkeeping options, and would he seamlessly integrate into Pep Guardiola's system? His omission from Luis Enrique's lineup is speculated to be linked to his ball-handling skills. Guardiola demands goalkeepers who are not only proficient with their feet but also capable of initiating attacks. While Ederson is renowned for his passing ability, having set a record for assists by a Premier League goalkeeper, Donnarumma's passing accuracy was an impressive 85.4% in Ligue 1 last season, closely trailing Ederson's statistics.
Despite Donnarumma's considerable physical presence at 6ft 5in, his save percentage of 66.2% has raised some eyebrows. In his 24 league starts last season, he managed only four clean sheets and conceded nearly four goals more than expected, according to Opta's analysis. However, he has demonstrated better statistics in prior seasons and during the 2024-25 Champions League, where he successfully saved over 70% of shots faced, alongside a commendable record in penalty saves.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is also navigating its own goalkeeping challenges. Despite initial interest in Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper from Aston Villa, no significant moves have materialized. As the summer progressed, United shifted their focus towards strengthening their attacking options, which has left the goalkeeper position relatively untouched.
Going into the new season, Andre Onana is expected to return to full fitness for the Premier League opener against Arsenal. His backup, Altay Bayindir, has yet to secure a move, while veteran Tom Heaton has signed a one-year contract, providing experienced coverage. Additionally, promising young goalkeepers Radek Vitek and Elyh Harrison have embarked on loan spells, which could further shape United's future in this position.
In the midst of these developments, sources have dismissed speculation that Chelsea is considering signing Donnarumma this summer. Despite a brief interest in AC Milan's goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Chelsea has reiterated their commitment to starting the upcoming season with Robert Sanchez as their primary goalkeeper, supported by Filip Jorgensen as a capable backup.
