Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City: A Worthwhile Pursuit?
Get the inside scoop on Manchester City's pursuit of Donnarumma and the challenges they might face in securing his services.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's sensational campaign and exceptional performances, particularly against Liverpool in the Champions League, make him an attractive target for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's pursuit of the Italian goalkeeper seems worthwhile considering Donnarumma's impressive skills and achievements. At 26 years old, Donnarumma has already demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and make crucial saves, which would be a valuable asset for City.
Key Factors in Donnarumma's Favor
Exceptional Reflexes: Donnarumma's impressive saves, such as those against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final, showcase his exceptional reflexes and shot-stopping ability.
Experience and Success: Having won major trophies like the Euros, Ligue 1 title, and French Cup, Donnarumma brings valuable experience and a winning mentality to the table.
Physical Presence: Standing at 6'5" with a strong build, Donnarumma's physical attributes make him an imposing figure in goal.
Potential Challenges
Footwork: Guardiola might need to work on Donnarumma's footwork, as Ederson's exceptional passing ability is a key aspect of City's playing style.
Contract and Wages: Donnarumma's current contract runs out in June 2026, and PSG may demand a high transfer fee. His weekly wage of £208,000 would also need to be met by City.
Transfer Feasibility
PSG's Position: Paris Saint-Germain might be willing to negotiate Donnarumma's departure if City submits a substantial offer, potentially around €60 million, and meets his wage demands.
Competition: City faces competition from Juventus and Inter Milan, who have already drawn up contract offers for Donnarumma.
Ederson's Departure: If Ederson leaves City for the Saudi Pro League, Donnarumma becomes a prime target to replace him.
Luis Enrique's comments came shortly after Paris Saint-Germain finished their Club World Cup campaign, which ended in a 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the final. Despite the defeat, Enrique praised his team's performance in the tournament, saying, “I think we played a very good tournament, even if we weren't able to take home the trophy. We are disappointed, it's not easy, but that's sport at the highest level.” He also acknowledged Chelsea's strong play, stating, “I think Chelsea played very well and deserved to win.” This recent loss hasn't deterred Enrique from focusing on future competitions, as he's already looking forward to the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, where PSG will face tough opponents like Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and Seattle Sounders.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's struggles with low shots shouldn't overshadow his overall value as a goalkeeper. Despite being 6ft 5in tall, he sometimes finds it challenging to get down to grounders. However, his impressive track record and ability to save his team in critical situations demonstrate his worth. Donnarumma's save percentage did take a hit in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign, dropping to 66.2% - a notable decline from the previous season's 81.8%.
Performance Statistics:
- Save Percentage (2024/25 Ligue 1): 66.2%
- Save Percentage (2023/24 Ligue 1): 81.8%
- Long Passes: Donnarumma's difficulties with longer passes (30 meters or more) likely contributed to his decreased performance.
These statistics highlight areas where Donnarumma might need to improve, but they also underscore his overall talent and contributions to his team.
“Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, without a doubt, and even better as a person,” he said in his pre-match press conference for the UEFA Super Cup.
“However, this is the life of a top-level footballer, and I am 100% responsible for this difficult decision. If it were easy, anyone would do it. These decisions have to do with the profile of the goalkeeper my team needs.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been a consistent presence in goal, playing 151 games for AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain since the 2020-21 season, starting every single match. However, his footwork has long been a point of discussion among critics and fans.
Key Stats:
Games Played: 151 matches for AC Milan and PSG since 2020-21
Starts: Every match since joining PSG
Height and Weight: 196 cm tall, weighing 90 kg
Foot Preference: Right-footed
Save Percentage: 66.67% in Ligue 1 2024-2025 season (48 saves out of 72 shots faced)
Goals Conceded: 21 goals in 24 matches (0.9 goals conceded per 90 minutes)
Clean Sheets: 4 clean sheets in 24 matches (17% clean sheet rate)
Footwork Concerns:
While Donnarumma excels in shot-stopping and reflexes, his footwork might not be his strongest suit. Pep Guardiola might need to work on this aspect if Donnarumma joins Manchester City, given Ederson's exceptional passing ability and City's playing style.
Perception vs Reality: Donnarumma's Abilities
Gianluigi Donnarumma's footwork and distribution have been questioned by some, but a closer look at the statistics reveals a different story. In the 2024-25 season, Donnarumma achieved a remarkable 90% success rate in keeper sweepings, with 51 successful attempts out of 53. His passing accuracy in league games was also impressive, at 85.4%, with an even higher accuracy of 94.7% for passes in his own half.
Key Statistics:
- Keeper Sweepings: 51 successful out of 53 attempted (90% success rate)
- Passing Accuracy (League Games 2024/25): 85.4%
- Passing Accuracy (Own Half): 94.7%
- Previous Season's Passing Accuracy: 87.1% (2023/24)
These statistics suggest that Donnarumma's abilities might be underappreciated, and perception could be clouding the reality of his skills. His impressive passing accuracy and success in keeper sweepings demonstrate his value as a goalkeeper who can contribute to his team's overall performance.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's height, standing at 6ft 5in, is an asset that has helped him make crucial saves and benefit his team. While he may struggle with low shots, his overall save percentage and contributions to the team should be considered when evaluating his performance. However, his save percentage did drop to 66.2% in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign, which is a significant decrease from the previous season's 81.8%.
Key Statistics:
- Save Percentage (2024/25 Ligue 1): 66.2%
- Save Percentage (2023/24 Ligue 1): 81.8%
- Long Passes: Donnarumma's struggles with longer passes (30 meters or more) may have contributed to his decreased performance.
Despite these challenges, Donnarumma's strengths and abilities should not be overlooked. His height and shot-stopping skills are valuable assets, and he has consistently demonstrated his ability to save his team in critical situations.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's long passing accuracy has been a concern, with a success rate of around one-in-five. In Ligue 1 last season, he completed just 16 out of 69 attempted long passes (30 meters or more), and his overall completion rate for long passes is approximately 21% (60 completions out of 284 attempts). This level of accuracy may not be sufficient for a top-level goalkeeper, particularly in a team that relies on swift transitions and long balls from the goalkeeper.
Contract Uncertainty Surrounding Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma's future at Paris Saint-Germain has been uncertain due to ongoing contract negotiations. The goalkeeper's current deal expires in June 2026, and talks about an extension have stalled. Donnarumma reportedly wants a significant salary increase, which PSG is hesitant to meet. According to reports, his current annual salary is around €10 million net, and he's looking for a substantial bump. This disagreement has led to speculation about his potential departure from the club.
Key Points in Contract Negotiations:
Salary Disagreement: Donnarumma's current annual salary is €10 million net, and he's seeking a higher wage.
Contract Expiration: His current contract with PSG expires in June 2026.
Potential Departure: The stalled negotiations have sparked rumors about Donnarumma's potential exit from PSG, with Inter Milan reportedly interested in signing him.
PSG's Stance: The club is looking to reduce the wage bill and might consider selling Donnarumma if he doesn't accept their offer.
Manchester United were initially interested in signing Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace Andre Onana, but their slow pace and recent purchases, including Benjamin Sesko, seem to have hindered their chances of constructing a viable deal. Meanwhile, Manchester City have reportedly agreed terms with Donnarumma, with the transfer contingent on Ederson's departure.
Transfer Details:
Manchester City's Pursuit: City have made contact with PSG to discuss Donnarumma's deal conditions, with a potential transfer valued at €50 million.
Ederson's Potential Exit: Galatasaray have made a direct approach to Manchester City for Ederson, with talks ongoing between the two clubs.
Donnarumma's Contract: The Italian goalkeeper's contract expires in June 2026, and PSG has reportedly set a €50 million asking price, which Manchester City deems too high.
Donnarumma's Interest: The goalkeeper is said to be very interested in joining Manchester City, and personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
Comparison of Manchester United and Manchester City's Chances
Manchester United's Challenges: United would need to pay the €50 million fee and meet Donnarumma's wage demands of €18 million per year.
Manchester City's Advantage: City's potential sale of Ederson could facilitate the transfer, giving them an edge over Manchester United in the pursuit of Donnarumma.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's potential move to Manchester City hinges on Ederson's departure. The Brazilian goalkeeper is in the final year of his contract and might prefer to let it expire to secure a more lucrative deal elsewhere. However, Galatasaray's interest in Ederson has prompted Pep Guardiola to consider easing him out. Ederson has reportedly agreed personal terms with Galatasaray, but Manchester City seems determined to retain him for another season, potentially risking losing him on a free transfer next year.
Transfer Details:
Galatasaray's Offer: The Turkish club has offered €3 million to Manchester City for Ederson, with a proposed annual salary of €6 million plus bonuses for the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Manchester City's Stance: City is open to selling Ederson but wants a significant transfer fee, reportedly around €10-15 million.
Donnarumma's Interest: The Italian goalkeeper is reportedly interested in joining Manchester City, with talks already held with his representatives.
Potential Replacement:
James Trafford: Manchester City has retained a buyback clause for the goalkeeper, who has attracted attention from Newcastle United following Burnley's promotion. Trafford is seen as a potential replacement for Ederson.
A comparison of Ederson and Gianluigi Donnarumma's goalkeeping statistics reveals some interesting similarities and differences. Ederson's save percentage of 67.1% from last season's Premier League is slightly higher than Donnarumma's 66.2%. However, Ederson's success rate in saving shots from outside the box is significantly higher, at 84.6%, compared to Donnarumma's 73.9%.
Key Statistics:
Save Percentage: Ederson (67.1%), Donnarumma (66.2%)
Saves from Outside the Box: Ederson (84.6%), Donnarumma (73.9%)
Catches: Both goalkeepers have 13 catches over the past four seasons.
Dropped Balls: Both goalkeepers have 16 dropped balls over the past four seasons.
Punched Clearances: Donnarumma (43), Ederson (39)
These statistics suggest that both goalkeepers have their strengths and weaknesses, and the decision to pursue Donnarumma would depend on various factors beyond just these numbers.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has faced 16 penalties in domestic competitions since 2020/21, saving only three, which translates to a save percentage of 18.75%. Interestingly, his overall penalty save record is better, with a save percentage of 23.3% in senior football, where he's saved 24 out of 103 penalties. Ederson, on the other hand, has saved one out of 18 penalties, but it's worth noting that the Brazilian goalkeeper's primary role is not necessarily specializing in penalty saves, unlike some goalkeepers who have made a name for themselves in this area.
Penalty Save Records:
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 23.3% save percentage in senior football (24 saves out of 103 penalties)
Penalty Shootout Record: 23.3% save percentage (10 saves out of 43 penalties) with six wins out of seven shootouts
Ederson: Saved one out of 18 penalties, with limited data available on his penalty save percentage
It's surprising that Donnarumma's domestic penalty save record isn't better, given his impressive overall record. However, goalkeepers' performances can vary across different competitions and situations.
Ederson's Potential Departure and Its Implications
Ederson's impressive sweeper keeping statistics, with 22 accurate attempts out of 23 (95.7% accuracy), suggest he's a valuable asset to Manchester City. However, if he decides to stay and fight for his place, it could complicate City's plans to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma. Pep Guardiola might see potential in developing Donnarumma, but Ederson's reluctance to leave could lead to City missing out on the Italian goalkeeper.
Potential Consequences:
Transfer Complications: If Ederson digs his heels in, City might struggle to finalize Donnarumma's transfer, potentially leading to a last-minute scramble for an alternative goalkeeper.
Donnarumma's Availability: The 26-year-old Italian goalkeeper's future seems uncertain, and if City can't secure his services, it might impact their defensive strategy.
Ederson's Future: If Ederson stays, he'll likely continue to play a crucial role in City's team, but if he leaves, City will need to find a suitable replacement quickly.
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