Gianluigi Donnarumma’s future at Paris St-Germain looks uncertain after he was omitted from Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham, following the arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille.
Although the European champions offered the 26-year-old a contract extension earlier in the summer, head coach Luis Enrique said on Tuesday that he is now seeking a “different profile” in goal. Donnarumma’s representative, Enzo Raiola, claimed the player had proposed a pay cut to remain in Paris, but PSG officials dispute this, stating the deal would have placed him among the best-paid goalkeepers worldwide.
Both club and player now aim to arrange a transfer to avoid friction. PSG, who signed Donnarumma for free four years ago, intend to secure a fee from any departure.
Sources at Manchester City describe suggestions they are currently negotiating for Donnarumma as speculative. They have not completely ruled out making a move if Ederson leaves, and PSG insiders say they would not be surprised if the Italian eventually joined the Premier League side.
Status of Ederson and City’s goalkeeping options
City currently has four senior goalkeepers, more than they require, making the Donnarumma rumors surprising. Reports have claimed a deal is in place, but those close to the Italian insist there have been no discussions with City.
Ederson has been linked with a switch to Galatasaray, though City wants him to stay and there have been no offers so far. The 31-year-old, in the last year of his contract, said in June during the Club World Cup that his “future is here,” though that could change if a significant bid arrived.
James Trafford has joined from Burnley, Marcus Bettinelli has been added as third-choice, and Stefan Ortega’s time at the club seems set to end, with City open to offers for him. Should Ederson also depart, the need for a replacement could bring Donnarumma back into consideration before the transfer window closes.
Donnarumma’s style and fit for Guardiola
Luis Enrique’s decision to leave out Donnarumma is believed to be linked to his distribution skills. Pep Guardiola also expects his goalkeepers to be confident with the ball and start attacking moves.
Ederson has eight Premier League assists to his name, four from last season alone. Donnarumma has none but recorded an 85.4% pass accuracy in Ligue 1 last term – slightly under Ederson’s rate but ahead of Ortega.
The Italian’s save rate in the French league was 66.2%, with only four clean sheets from 24 starts, and Opta data shows he conceded nearly four more goals than expected, with a goals prevented figure of -3.6. His performances were stronger in the Champions League, where he saved over 70% of shots faced, and he has kept out almost one in four penalties in his career.
Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague told that Guardiola regards Donnarumma as one of the best three goalkeepers in the world, praising his instincts in the six-yard box, though acknowledging his limitations in distribution. Balague suggested Guardiola might believe he can improve that aspect of his game.
