‘PSG will make Man United overpay for statement Gianluigi Donnarumma signing’
Paris Saint-Germain will make Manchester United pay a “big price” if they try to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said Man United’s pursuit of PSG and Italy’s number one could end with a “real statement”.
Donnarumma kept a clean sheet in PSG’s Champions League final win and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Man United quietly working behind the scenes the feasibility of a deal to sign him.
The 26-year-old’s weekly wages of £435,000 could be a huge stumbling block for Man United, and Robinson told Football Insider that doesn’t even take into account a potentially enormous transfer fee.
Robinson told Football Insider that despite Donnarumma only having a year left to run on his contract at PSG, the European Champions would force Man United or any other club to “overpay” for his signature.
Donnarumma deal would be ‘real statement’ for Man United
This article contains exclusive comment from Paul Robinson, a football pundit and former England, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United goalkeeper.
Andre Onana’s time could be up at Old Trafford this summer as Man United seek an upgrade, and the signing of Donnarumma would certainly elevate him above the Cameroonian in Ruben Amorim’s ranks.
Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, Robinson was asked about the possibility of Man United completing a deal for Donnarumma this summer, given his position as a European champion at PSG.
“I’d be surprised, he’s still got another year left on his contract”, Robinson told Football Insider.
We saw how important he was for PSG last year – in the big games, he makes big saves, he’s a big moments goalkeeper and he’s still only 26 years old.
“His contract does expire this year at PSG, he’s got such a presence there. I would be extremely surprised if PSG were looking to deal or open to any offers for Donnarumma.
“It’d have to be a big price. I don’t think Manchester United would meet the price that they would want. They’re going to have to ask teams to overpay for him.
“If Manchester United could get him, he’s a far better goalkeeper than Onana – he wouldn’t be somebody to come and challenge for the number one, it’s a real statement and he’s playing every week.”
Donnarumma deal a long-shot as Man United seal Sesko deal
There’s little doubt that signing Donnarumma – one of the world’s very best goalkeepers – would have a transformational effect on United’s leaky backline, but it remains to be seen if he’d even want the move.
Onana’s hamstring injury before pre-season has all-but ruled out Man United’s chances of selling him, and this could throw a spanner in the works as Amorim focuses more on overhauling the Devils’ frontline.
Benjamin Sesko is on his way to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig in yet another big-money deal totalling £74million, and it’s unlikely that Man United could fund Donnarumma’s massive wages (and even bigger transfer fee) on top of this.