Donnarumma’s Sudden PSG Exit and Manchester City Agreement
Just a few months ago, Gianluigi Donnarumma was lifting the Champions League trophy with PSG after a historic 5–0 victory over Inter Milan. He had been a key figure in that triumph, making crucial saves against Liverpool and Arsenal along the way. Yet now, the same goalkeeper—only 26 years old and widely regarded as one of the world’s best—is on his way out of Paris, with an agreement already in place to join Manchester City.
The news broke like a shockwave in Italy and France. Donnarumma was excluded from PSG’s squad for the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham in Udine, a move confirmed by Luis Enrique. The coach praised Donnarumma’s talent and personality but admitted the club was looking for “a different profile.” That “different profile” had already been found in Lucas Chevalier, the 23-year-old former Lille goalkeeper known for his precise footwork—something Enrique values highly. Chevalier’s signing, just days before Donnarumma’s omission, made the writing on the wall hard to miss.
Behind the scenes, this wasn’t a last-minute decision. Donnarumma’s future had been in doubt for nearly a year due to stalled contract negotiations. PSG’s management wanted to shift toward a pay structure with more performance-based bonuses and a smaller guaranteed salary, something Donnarumma and his camp refused. The club, wary of committing to a long-term deal under those conditions, began quietly exploring replacements months ago.
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By early summer, both Manchester clubs had opened talks with Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola. Pep Guardiola even held direct conversations with the goalkeeper, and City’s leadership moved quickly to reach a contractual agreement. The plan now depends on Ederson’s expected transfer to Galatasaray, which would open the door for Donnarumma to step in as City’s new No. 1. The fee PSG is asking is said to be lower than what they demanded for Chevalier, making the deal even more appealing for the Premier League champions.
For PSG players like captain Marquinhos, the departure hits hard. He publicly thanked Donnarumma for his leadership and achievements, calling him a “great leader” and expressing sadness at the thought of him leaving. Donnarumma himself posted an emotional farewell message to PSG fans on Instagram, saying he was “disappointed and bitter” about the decision but grateful for his time in Paris.
In Italy, the media has defended him fiercely. The Gazzetta dello Sport called his treatment “a slap,” while the Corriere dello Sport suggested PSG has a history of sour endings with Italian goalkeepers.
If all goes as expected, Donnarumma will soon swap Paris for Manchester, trading the Parc des Princes for the Etihad Stadium—and stepping into a new chapter under Pep Guardiola, where his shot-stopping skills will be paired with one of the world’s most dominant teams.
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