Pep Guardiola has reportedly been looking to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma for years.
Paris Saint-Germain fan and journalist Julien Laurens believes Donnarumma does not suit Guardiola’s style after doubting his proficiency as a ball-playing goalkeeper.
However, John Obi Mikel is a big fan of Donnarumma after admitting that he hoped Chelsea would have signed him.
The Italian international will be keen to repay Manchester City’s trust if he starts in the Manchester Derby.
Pep Guardiola wanted Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace Claudio Bravo at Man City
The Daily Mail have reported that Gianluigi Donnarumma was Pep Guardiola’s first-choice to replace Claudio Bravo in the final months of the 2016/2017 season after the Chilean’s poor debut campaign before the eventual arrival of Ederson.
Donnarumma revealed Guardiola’s interest in signing him this summer but it was back in 2015 that the treble-winner caught the Catalan’s eye as a 16-year-old when he played against Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly at the Allianz Arena.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy during warm up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 5, 2025
Photo by Claudio Villa – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images
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The former Bayern Munich boss even approached the former PSG shotstopper to congratulate him as he bravely played out from the back against Spurs.
Donnarumma admitted Manchester City always “fascinated” him but the report claims that back when Pep Guardiola’s side showed their interest in his signature, AC Milan’s lofty demands meant they failed to sign him.
Pep Guardiola drops hint about how he will use Gianluigi Donnarumma
Richard Keys questioned Donnarumma’s move to Manchester City as unlike Ederson, he is not accustomed to playing out from the back.
However, Pep Guardiola revealed that he will not force Donnarumma to operate like the Brazilian did, explaining via HaytersTV: “Always, I adapt to the quality of the players. I will not demand Gigi to do something that is uncomfortable.”
“We are talking about the best player I’ve ever seen at distribution, with short and long [passes] with Ederson, we didn’t take Gigi to take what Ederson has done, Gigi has other qualities.”
Donnarumma’s shotstopping ability caught Manchester City’s attention and Guardiola’s comments suggest he may not be as involved in how they build out from the back as Ederson was.