Manchester City are on the verge of signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in a late transfer window move, with Brazil international Ederson set to leave the club if the deal is finalized. Sources indicate that City and PSG have reached an agreement in principle, and negotiations with Donnarumma are progressing positively, though final details remain to be completed before the 7 p.m. deadline.
Ederson, who has been a mainstay at the Etihad Stadium since arriving from Benfica in 2017 for £35 million, is attracting serious interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce. During his eight years in Manchester, he has played 372 matches and kept 168 clean sheets, cementing his place as one of the Premier League’s most consistent goalkeepers. However, City will only sanction his departure if Donnarumma’s transfer is secured in time.
The potential move has sparked debate among pundits, with questions raised about Donnarumma’s suitability for Pep Guardiola’s system. French football expert Julien Laurens has suggested that while the Italian is among the best shot-stoppers in the world, his limited ability with ball distribution and reluctance to command aerial situations could pose challenges in the Premier League. Guardiola, however, may prioritize his shot-saving abilities as City look to reinforce their backline.
For PSG, Donnarumma’s exit represents the end of an era. The 25-year-old, who joined on a free transfer in 2021, is leaving with the “best wishes” of the Parisian club after failing to agree on a new contract. His departure aligns with PSG’s new strategy of recruiting younger players on lower wages, a shift away from their “Galactico” approach. Alongside Donnarumma, players like Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio are also departing, generating profit for the French champions.
City’s defensive struggles have been a concern this season, with Gary Neville noting that the backline is no longer as secure as in previous title-winning campaigns. That vulnerability has placed more pressure on City’s attack to score multiple goals to secure wins. The signing of Donnarumma, if completed, would not only provide a replacement for Ederson but also signal Guardiola’s attempt to stabilize the team as they push for another Premier League and Champions League run.
