Gianluigi Donnarumma is attracting interest from Man Utdplaceholder image
Gianluigi Donnarumma is attracting interest from Man Utd | Getty Images
Man City are closing in on a deal to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma with details about his expected arrival at the Etihad and his medical now being reported.
Manchester City started the transfer window with a bang and could be about to see it shut with one too with the news that Gianluigi Donnarumma is closing in on a move to the Etihad.
The Italy no.1 was imperious for Paris Saint Germain last season which makes the decision to part ways with the 26-year old all the more bizarre given his status as a contender to being the world’s best between the sticks. Donnarumma might not have the distribution of Ederson, who is set to join Fenerbahce, but in terms of keeping the ball out of the net, few are better. With City looking far from robust at the back so far this season, having the commanding 6ft 6inch tall Italian could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Medical and Man City arrival timeline for Gianluigi Donnarumma
One person who might not be too happy will be James Trafford who has started the season as first choice having usurped the man who was previously his mentor and idol. Trafford has returned to City as a more mature and much improved keeper and he will be frustrated that his place in the team is already looking under threat. The academy graduate left the Etihad to seek first team football so will be disappointed to have that snatched away from him if, as expected, Donnarumma arrives in England.
The latest news, provided by Fabrizio Romano, has explained the timeline for Donnarumma to be a City player with the giant stopper all set for a medical in his homeland before reporting for international duty with Italy.
After the international break, Donnarumma will make the move to Manchester: “Gigio Donnarumma now set to undergo his medical in Italy after deal done between all parties. He will arrive in Manchester after the international break, but all done and sealed with #MCFC.”
It has felt like the beginning of a new cycle under Pep Guardiola since the January transfer window opened this year and the summer has been no different with the goalkeeper position set to look as strong as it has ever done.
Is Trafford’s dream about to turn into a nightmare?
When Trafford was announced as a City player again, it was clear that the England hopeful was looking forward to a fresh start and of playing a key role in the future: “It’s brilliant for me,” Trafford told City’s media team.
“It was one of my goals since I joined when I was 12 to play for City. I knew my journey would look different. Throughout it I always believed I would be coming back and when I left on loan when I was 18 or when I left for Burnley when I was 20. I always believed that one day I would be back and I worked hard to achieve this moment.I always believed that I’d play for City and I knew the only person that could do that is me. Now I’ve got this moment, I’ve just got to keep going.”
Having achieved his dream, Trafford is going to have to work harder than ever but will be hoping that learning from Ederson gives him a chance of competing on a level playing field with Donnarumma: “He’s extremely talented and one of a kind with the ball at his feet,” he said of the departing no.1. He’s someone I looked up to a lot when I first trained with him when I was 17. I just tried to take small bits of his game and try and put them into my game and improve. I’m excited to work with all the goalkeepers and just push each other and improve.”
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