‘Man City eye Donnarumma as Ederson replacement amid interest from Man United’
Man City may turn to Gianluigi Donnarumma as an Ederson replacement but the PSG goalkeeper has interest from several other major clubs this summer.
The Sky Blues were dethroned as Premier League champions last season, and the club have responded with an aggressive approach in the transfer market.
After making a plethora of signings in January, Pep Guardiola’s side continued their squad overhaul by adding Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli at the beginning of the summer.
However, there is still plenty of work to be done before the squad is ready to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea next term.
Despite providing four assists last season, Ederson’s recent injury track record and his habit for a howler have made City open to the idea of the Brazilian leaving.
The 31-year-old came close to a move to Saudi Arabia last season, and with interest from Galatasaray in Ederson this summer, the Sky Blues may find themselves in the market for a new shot-stopper.
Donnarumma attracting interest from Man City, Man United
Speaking on the Transfers Podcast, Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles explained that with Guardiola open to the idea of a new goalkeeper, Donnarumma may be on his way to Manchester.
The Italian shot-stopper has just one year remaining on his deal with PSG and is currently weighing up a contract offer from the champions of Europe.
Castles said (21 July, 52:40mins): “The guidance I have is that Pep Guardiola would be happy to change first-choice goalkeeper this summer and will not stand in the way of a transfer if an appropriate fee can be achieved.
“Who they would replace him with is interesting. I’ve been told that Gianluigi Donnarumma is an option.
“We told you several weeks ago on this podcast that Donnarumma’s Paris Saint-Germain future is in doubt, because he’s entered the final year of his contract.
“The contract he arrived on from Milan pays him €10m per year and PSG are not prepared to continue on that salary level.
“They do want to keep him, but they feel that salary level is out of range with the rest of their squad.
“They’ve offered him a long-term contract at a lower level, but Donnarumma is yet to tell them whether he wants to stay or not.
“Part of the negotiations have been PSG saying that if he does not extend his deal, he will be sold this summer.
“He has also been mentioned as a candidate to replace Andre Onana at Man United.”
Donnarumma may struggle in Man City’s system
Football Insider Verdict
Man City have been linked with several goalkeepers this summer, including Porto’s Diogo Costa and academy graduate James Trafford.
Despite being the biggest name of the trio, Donnarumma’s expiring contract could make the 26-year-old the most affordable option, in terms of his transfer fee at least.
However, the Italian international has some glaring issues that make him seem unsuitable for Guardiola’s system.
Donnarumma is an extraordinarily talented shot-stopper, but the former AC Milan goalkeeper is sub-par when it comes to his distribution.
Guardiola famously ousted Joe Hart from City for similar reasons, turning to Claudio Bravo thanks to the Chilean’s strengths with the ball at his feet, which would make the Italian’s move to Manchester a surprise to say the least.