Where Will Gianluigi Donnarumma Land Next? Five Clubs Ready to Pounce
The summer transfer window has delivered another major shock following the recent confirmation of Gianluigi Donnarumma's exit from Paris Saint-Germain.
Although the goalkeeper played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League triumph last season and earned a nomination for the 2025 Yashin Trophy, Donnarumma has been shown the door at Parc des Princes by coach Luis Enrique. He has bid his goodbyes and focus now shifts to where he'll land next.
Donnarumma's representative has suggested his player could make a marquee move to the Premier League following PSG's €50 million (£43.2 million, $58.3 million) valuation of the Italian, whose contract with the European champions expires next summer.
However, England's elite division isn't the sole rumored landing spot for the 26-year-old, as teams worldwide are now pursuing one of football's premier goalkeepers.
Manchester City
Manchester City seem the most likely landing spot for Donnarumma this summer despite already bringing in two keepers. James Trafford has rejoined the Etihad Stadium following a successful stint with Burnley and is anticipated to fight for playing time next season, while Marcus Bettinelli has been brought in as third-choice to replace Scott Carson.
Nevertheless, City are reportedly extremely interested in acquiring Donnarumma after his PSG breakdown and might even approve Ederson's departure, who has been consistently linked with an exit this summer, to enable a transfer. The Brazilian is heavily connected with a switch to Galatasaray after eight years of outstanding service at the Etihad.
Ederson's backup Stefan Ortega has also been mentioned for a summer departure and seems set to leave the club, which would create space for Donnarumma in City's squad. They could definitely meet PSG's asking price as well.
Enrique's wish to release Donnarumma stems from the Italy international's uncertainty with ball distribution, which would certainly make a City transfer peculiar given Pep Guardiola's possession-focused approach. Ederson is easily the world's finest distributor in his role, though Donnarumma excels as a shot-stopper.
Despite City's approach and tactics, they seem prepared to pursue the PSG goalkeeper.
Manchester United
Manchester United have been consistently connected with acquiring a new goalkeeper throughout the summer due to André Onana's difficulties since joining Old Trafford, with Emiliano Martínez among those suggested to replace the Cameroon international. With Donnarumma now available, it would be careless of United not to evaluate the imposing keeper.
Considering his age, experience and talent, he would make an outstanding addition to Ruben Amorim's team and certainly an improvement over Onana. However, there's no certainty that the Red Devils will recruit between the posts this summer and they have been distanced from any potential agreement.
BBC Sport's Simon Stone has reported that "goalkeeper [is] not a priority for Man Utd" and connections with Donnarumma are baseless, with the Red Devils also needing to monitor their financial position after heavy spending on attackers this summer.
Nevertheless, United's transfer activity has often been opportunistic in recent windows, meaning Donnarumma cannot be completely dismissed as a potential signing.
Chelsea
Like United, Chelsea are reportedly not pursuing Donnarumma. The Blues have also been suggested to strengthen the goalkeeper position during the summer window but it seems that Enzo Maresca trusts his current choices. Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen aren't top-tier options but Chelsea have focused on reinforcing other areas over the transfer period.
However, it's important to note that Chelsea were keen to acquire Mike Maignan—Donnarumma's replacement at Milan—before the FIFA Club World Cup, somewhat questioning Maresca's supposed trust in Sánchez and Jörgensen.
Similar to United, the Blues often find it difficult to resist when an attractive opportunity emerges in the market, with Donnarumma's credentials perhaps proving too appealing to overlook for the west London club.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray have witnessed club icon Fernando Muslera depart after 14 years with the team over the summer and are keen to replace the veteran with a marquee name. Man City's Ederson has been their primary target and Donnarumma's possible move to the Etihad could open the door for them to land the Brazil international.
However, Gala are also apparently interested in Donnarumma, and have already secured permanent transfers for Leroy Sané and Victor Osimhen this summer as they aim to reestablish themselves as a major European competitor. They clearly possess strong appeal, though whether Donnarumma would consider a Turkish move as he enters his peak years remains uncertain.
Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League are always waiting in the wings when one of Europe's stars becomes available and they are expected to join the pursuit of Donnarumma. Darwin Núñez, Theo Hernández and João Félix are among the prominent names to have joined the league this summer and the division's leading clubs will have no trouble funding Donnarumma's transfer—plus offering him an enormous salary.
But, similar to the Galatasaray situation, Donnarumma might not be keen on moving to clubs like Al Hilal or Al Ittihad at only 26 years old. There's a good possibility the goalkeeper chooses to remain at Europe's highest level, which would prevent another significant acquisition for the Saudi Pro League.