Manchester City have made a significant move in the transfer market, securing the signature of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer was finalized on deadline day for a fee of around €30 million (£25.9m). Donnarumma has agreed to a five-year contract with an option for an additional year, solidifying his commitment to the Premier League club. The news is expected to be officially confirmed on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Italian international was reportedly seeking a move after being excluded from PSG's Super Cup squad, which suggested he was no longer considered theclub's first-choice goalkeeper. PSG had earlier signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille, signaling a change in their preferred goalkeeping profile under manager Luis Enrique. Enrique admitted the decision to omit Donnarumma was difficult, stating that while he considered Donnarumma one of the best in his position, he was seeking a different goalkeeping profile. Donnarumma, who is valued at €40 million, had publicly expressed his desire to leave PSG after losing his place in the team.
This transfer has been facilitated by the departure of Manchester City's long-serving goalkeeper Ederson, who is set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce for a fee of around €14 million (£12m). Ederson's move brings an end to his successful tenure with City, where he made 372 appearances and kept 168 clean sheets after joining from Benfica in June 2017. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Manchester City and Fenerbahce have reached a verbal agreement for Ederson. Ederson is expected to undergo his medical in Turkey before the transfer is officially announced.
Donnarumma's arrival is expected to make him City's new number one. While James Trafford, who was brought back from Burnley this summer, has started the season in goal, Donnarumma's experience and reputation suggest he will soon take over the goalkeeping duties. Despite being relatively young for a goalkeeper, Donnarumma brings a wealth of experience, having earned 74 senior international caps for Italy since his debut in 2017. He captained Italy to victory in the 2021 European Championship, where he was named Player of the Tournament after saving three penalties in the final against England.
The signing of Donnarumma represents a significant coup for Manchester City, adding a world-class goalkeeper to their ranks as they aim to compete for major honors. However, some critics have questioned whether Donnarumma is the right fit for Pep Guardiola's style of play. One pundit suggested that while Donnarumma is an excellent shot-stopper, his distribution and ability to command his area in the air may not be ideally suited to Guardiola's demands.
In other transfer news, Manchester City have also completed a loan deal for Swiss defender Manuel Akanji to Inter Milan, with an option to buy. Additionally, full-back Issa Kabore has been loaned to Wrexham.
