Pep Guardiola is convinced that Gianluigi Donnarumma will be a good fit at Manchester City, TBR Football understands, after the club agreed a fee for the Italian with Paris Saint-Germain.
City have been linked with Donnarumma for weeks as Ederson’s future remained uncertain. Ederson has now agreed to join Fenerbahce, opening the door for Donnarumma to join the Blues from PSG.
A move for Donnarumma was dependent on Ederson securing his own move away from the Etihad, and now both transfers look set to go ahead. While City must finalise a deal for Donnarumma before Monday’s transfer deadline, Fenerbahce have until September 12 to sign Ederson.
Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
While there are some doubts over Donnarumma’s ability to play out from the back, TBR Football understand Pep Guardiola is personally confident the Italian is the right man to replace Ederson.
Pep Guardiola personally calls Gianluigi Donnarumma ahead of Manchester City transfer
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that Donnarumma has been keen to join City after being told he is not part of Luis Enrique’s plans at PSG.
Bailey says: “Despite interest from Galatasaray, we are told that Donnarumma was always keen to make the move to City.
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Angers SCO - Ligue 1 McDonald's
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
“Once City knew Ederson was going to join Fenerbahce they progressed with Donnarumma, I am told talks went well last week and also that Pep Guardiola spoke with the Italian and the two of them had very productive talks.
“At that point Donnarumma knew City was the right move. I know some fans don’t think Donnarumma is a good fit, but Pep and City do not agree, they love him as a player and a person.”
Ederson allowed to travel to Turkey to finalise Fenerbahce transfer from Manchester City
City have agreed terms with Donnarumma after Ederson agreed his own terms on a transfer to Fenerbahce.
Ederson record at Manchester City 2017-2025 (Source: Transfermarkt)
Games: 372
Goals conceded: 311
Clean sheets: 168
Assists: 8
Major trophies: 18
Bailey says: “The Ederson deal doesn’t have to be done on Monday but TBR Football can confirm he has permission to travel after deal was agreed between the clubs around £15m with add-ons.
“The Brazilian has held fresh talks with City in recent days confirming his desire to finalise his move to Turkey. The 32-year-old agreed terms with Galatasaray a number of weeks ago, but now Fenerbahce have stepped in.
“With Ederson leaving, City have now finalised terms with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma.”