The reason has been given as to why European champions Paris Saint-Germain have opted to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma amid reports that the player wants to join Manchester United. The Italian was a crucial part of PSG's Champions League-winning campaign, which included a match-winning performance against Arsenal in the second leg of the semi-final.
Despite that, the former AC Milan youngster's future is up in the air. With just one year left on his contract, he has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes. PSG believe that Ruben Amorim's United, as well as Chelsea and Inter Milan, will make offers for the goalkeeper before the end of the transfer window - but with the Italian eyeing up a move to the Theatre of Dreams, as per talkSPORT's Anil Kandola, the reason why his current employers are so willing to let him go has now been revealed.
Update on Why PSG Have Replaced Donnarumma
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With speculation on his future already rife, it appears Donnarumma may be even closer to the exit door ahead of the official confirmation of Lucas Chevalier's arrival at the club. The 23-year-old Lille goalkeeper has reportedly passed his medical and will join the club imminently, with the Italian likely to take a back seat as a result.
It is claimed that Luis Enrique prefers the idea of a goalkeeper who is more comfortable with the ball at his feet than his current number one, and that Chevalier fits that profile. Meanwhile, it has also been speculated by ESPN that the club do not want to keep the Italy international and have two top keepers in the squad this season.
Donnarumma was apparently open to staying in the French capital, but wanted a pay rise in order to sign a new deal which would likely have put him on one of the most expensive deals in the club's history. With the 26-year-old already one of the top earners at £213,292 per week, according to Capology, PSG did not wish to acquiesce to his demands knowing that their manager wanted a different profile of shot-stopper.
Sporting director Luis Campos did try to negotiate a new deal that would’ve seen the 2020 Euros winner take a lower base salary but have larger bonus incentives to make up the difference, but this was not agreed to by the player. As a result, he now finds himself at risk of losing his number one spot and having less game time ahead of next summer’s 2026 World Cup - something that Italy will hope to qualify for despite currently sitting third in their qualification group.
It has been claimed that PSG will accept a fee of £26 million for the player, and with United looking to replace Andre Onana this summer, they could very well make a move to bring the Italian to the Theatre of Dreams.