Donnarumma Sparks Premier League Bidding War as Man Utd and Chelsea Pounce After PSG Rejection
Gianluigi Donnarumma is said to be open to departing Paris Saint-Germain following his exclusion from the team's UEFA Super Cup roster, though potential suitors remain scarce.
Despite delivering his finest season to date, playing an instrumental part in PSG's maiden Champions League victory and helping the team reach the Club World Cup final, Donnarumma finds himself sidelined in Paris. PSG acquired Lucas Chevalier from Lille to become their new primary goalkeeper this summer after contract renewal negotiations with Donnarumma reached an impasse.
The Italian national team skipper has twelve months remaining on his existing deal. When extension talks were initiated, he allegedly declined to accept the club's revised salary framework. This deadlock has generated speculation linking him to Chelsea and Manchester United, leading PSG to anticipate incoming offers. However, interest has been limited.
Donnarumma is receptive to leaving PSG, according to The Athletic, but "only for the right club and at the right moment". Whether United meets those standards remains unclear, but the Red Devils would only pursue the 26-year-old if André Onana departs this summer, which seems increasingly doubtful. Fabrizio Romano has assessed United's likelihood of securing Donnarumma at merely 30%. Chelsea's prospects appear even more remote.
The Blues are not currently in active negotiations with the marginalized goalkeeper. Following an unsuccessful pre-Club World Cup attempt to sign AC Milan's Mike Maignan, Chelsea are reportedly "content" with their existing goalkeeper roster; Robert Sánchez, Filip Jørgensen and Gabriel Slonina.
Despite Chevalier's arrival, Donnarumma will not be pressured into an unsuitable transfer and is willing to remain patient amid the increasingly strained atmosphere in the French capital. L'Équipe reports that the "divide" between player and club is "total" just two months following their Champions League triumph.