Manchester United face a critical summer transfer window after enduring one of the worst seasons in the club’s history. Finishing 15th in the Premier League, a scenario even the most pessimistic fans couldn’t have predicted, has forced a deep reflection at Old Trafford. From a fractured dressing room to a disoriented bench, the 2024/25 campaign was plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and a glaring lack of direction.
Among the many issues, one stood out as the most urgent: the goalkeeping situation. Andre Onana, brought in as the supposed long-term successor to David De Gea, failed to live up to expectations. His performances were riddled with costly errors, and his lack of authority in the box only deepened the defensive crisis. Now, the club is moving swiftly and ambitiously to address that vulnerability, and an unexpected name has surfaced: Gianluigi Donnarumma.
According to ESPN, via GIVEMESPORT, United have made contact with Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola, to inquire about the Italian’s availability. The 26-year-old’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain runs until 2026, but talks over a renewal have reportedly stalled. Donnarumma currently earns £295,000 a week, a significant outlay, but one United appear willing to explore given the scale of their goalkeeping concerns.
Gianluigi Donnarumma in action for PSG – could the towering goalkeeper be the key to bolstering Manchester United’s backline?
Donnarumma is no stranger to pressure. He made his debut for AC Milan at just 16 and went on to make over 250 appearances for the club before moving to PSG in 2021. Since then, he has been a regular starter in Paris and was instrumental in their recent Champions League run, even entering discussions for the Ballon d’Or. At 26, he offers the rare combination of experience, talent, and maturity, traits United are sorely lacking at the back.
Manager Rúben Amorim is keen to rebuild United from a solid base, and a dominant, composed goalkeeper is the cornerstone of that vision. Unlike Onana, whose inconsistency has spread uncertainty through the backline, Donnarumma brings calm, commanding presence and world-class reflexes. He is also a proven leader, having already captained his national side on occasion.
However, securing Donnarumma will not be easy. PSG are unlikely to let him leave without a substantial fee, and his wage demands could stretch United’s financial flexibility. But if the Red Devils are serious about reestablishing themselves as a top-tier side, signing a player of Donnarumma’s calibre is a statement move.
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As a more affordable alternative, United are also monitoring Marcin Bulka, the 25-year-old Nice goalkeeper who has impressed in Ligue 1. Bulka may lack Donnarumma’s star power but represents a more pragmatic option if negotiations with PSG stall.
Either way, it’s clear that Manchester United are no longer content with stop-gap solutions. Fixing the goalkeeping issue is not just about correcting a failed signing, it’s about setting a new tone for a team that has lost its way.