GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA SET TO JOIN MANCHESTER CITY AS DEAL AGREED

Gianluigi Donnarumma is reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester City from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth €27 million before the summer transfer window closes.

According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Citizens have been eager to bolster their first-team squad by landing another goalkeeper in the summer transfer window despite re-signing James Trafford. So, the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper has been a target.

The former AC Milan wonderkid is on the cusp of joining Manchester City, as they have struck an agreement with PSG. Meanwhile, Alfredo Pedulla has shared further details on Football Italia, revealing that the Premier League club will fork out €27 million to sign Donnarumma, who will pocket an annual salary of over €15 million.

Gianluigi Donnarumma and his PSG spell

Gianluigi Donnarumma reached a crossroads in his career despite his excellent performances for Paris Saint-Germain. The 26-year-old has been exceptional between the sticks for Les Parisiens since arriving from AC Milan in a Bosman move in July 2021. He has made over 150 appearances for PSG while keeping 52 clean sheets and conceding 152 goals.

However, the Italian international entered the final 12 months of his contract in July, and talks with PSG over a new contract did not progress much. So, the Ligue 1 champions have signed Lucas Chevalier from LOSC Lille earlier this summer to be the new first-choice goalkeeper. Donnarumma has thus been searching for his next destination, with Manchester City negotiating a deal with PSG for several weeks.

Premier League adventure beckons

Manchester City’s interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma has been baffling. The Citizens have re-signed James Trafford from Burnley this summer. While the English international has blown hot and cold, he is a world-class prospect who can be a long-term solution between the sticks for Manchester City.

So while Ederson Moraes is on the cusp of joining Fenerbahce, it is unclear why the Premier League table-toppers want another shot-stopper. Nevertheless, the PSG goalkeeper has been a target for Manchester City, and the Premier League giants have struck an agreement to secure his services. City will fork out €27 million to sign the former AC Milan shot-stopper.

Personal terms were never an issue, and the 26-year-old Italian international will sign a long-term contract with over €15 million-a-year wages. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has revealed in a separate update that Donnarumma will undergo his medical tests in Italy and formally arrive at Manchester City after the international break.

- TheHardTackle

PSG BOSS EXPLAINS GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA DECISION AMID MAN CITY AND MAN UNITED TRANSFER RUMORS

Latest Premier League transfer news as PSG provide update on Gianluigi Donnarumma after links to Man City and Man United

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked with both Man City and Man United(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Champions League winners PSG take on Tottenham Hotspur for the Super Cup in Italy on Wednesday night but have chosen to not include their first-choice goalkeeper of four years. Donnarumma's contract in the French capital expires at the end of the coming season, meaning he would become a free agent and able to depart without a transfer fee.

Tension has grown over the unresolved situation and now Enrique has confirmed it is he who has taken action.

"Gigio is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and an even better person. But that's the life of a top-level footballer, as it is for coaches," the PSG boss told Sky Sports Italia.

"These are difficult decisions, but I take responsibility for the choice I made. If they were easy, anyone would make them. They have to do with the profile of the goalkeeper my team needs."

Stepping in for the Italian international is PSG's new signing Lucas Chevalier, who was bought from LOSC Lille for a reported €40m (£34.5m) last week.

According to RMC Sport, Donnarumma is City's top pick to replace Ederson should the Brazilian opt to leave the Etihad Stadium after eight years. Turkish media have reported interest from Galatasaray.

United have also been linked by various sources but The Daily Mail believe a move for the 26-year-old is unlikely. As the Manchester Evening News understands, Ruben Amorim and Co. are believed to be keen on signing a new goalkeeper but there is no fixed budget for doing so.

Also speaking on the topic of Donnarumma was PSG captain Marquinhos. The defender said: "We know how football is, which is a bit difficult, especially in the transfer market.

"He was a great player for us, he deserves all the best in his life. He's a great person and a great man, he respected this club a lot, but football is like that and sometimes we can't do too much.

"We don't know what happened in the discussion. I've been here for 12 or 13 years and I've experienced many moments like this: friends who arrive and friends who leave."

- James Quinlan