Gianluigi Donnarumma could be a new Manchester City goalkeeper by the end of the summer transfer window.
There has been a lot of talk around the goalkeeper position at the Etihad Stadium over recent weeks, which stems from Galatasaray’s push to sign Ederson before the current market shuts.
The Turkish club are yet to agree a transfer fee with the Manchester club for the Brazilian, but if they do, Donnarumma will be brought in by Man City, as Pep Guardiola will need his number one goalkeeper replaced.
Many have questioned City’s interest in the Italian goalkeeper, as he does not fit Guardiola’s style, and a PSG insider has now provided a worrying reason for the Premier League club’s pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after team mate Desire Doue (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025.
Photo by Lars Baron – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Pep Guardiola is signing Gianluigi Donnarumma because it is his last season at Man City
It was reported on Tuesday that Man City are expected to sign Donnarumma on Deadline Day, but this may not be good news for fans of the Manchester club, suggests PSG insider and ESPN journalist Julien Laurens.
Laurens believes Guardiola is only signing Donnarumma because he plans to leave Manchester at the end of the season; therefore, it does not matter if the Italian doesn’t match his style of play, as it is just for one year.
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“I think this looks to me like a short-term move from Pep, in the sense that I don’t think Pep will be there next season. I think this is his last season with City. I think he thinks he might not fit my model and my philosophy exactly, completely,” Laurens said on The Gab & Juls Show.
“It’s like signing Courtois. He would have never signed somebody like Donnarumma or even Courtois five or six years ago, because he wanted and he needed an Ederson type, and he got it.
“But now he’s thinking one year, the guy is going to win me games on the line, because he’s the best on his line, which is completely true.
“With the ball on crosses, I can probably deal with that. Yeah, he’s going to cost me a few goals. Yes, he’s not the best in those two departments, but because he’s so good on his line, that’s fine.
“I take that, and we can deal with the rest. And then it’s just that one season, because after that, I might not be. And even if he’s there, it will be two more seasons and that’s it.”
Pep Guardiola during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola has a maximum of two years left at Man City
Guardiola recently left the door open to staying at Man City beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027; however, that is not believed to be the legendary coach’s plan.
According to Guillem Balague, Guardiola will not continue in club football after his contract finishes in two years with Man City, which has already been 100% decided.
The 54-year-old plans to take a break from the sport when the time comes, and if the Spaniard does decide to return, he will do so on the international stage.
Man City fans expect 2027 to be Guardiola’s last at the Etihad Stadium, but if he were to leave at the end of the current campaign, that would be a big blow.