Manchester City left it late in the summer transfer window but successfully secured one of their top priorities. Despite bringing in James Trafford earlier in the window, Pep Guardiola still needed a first-choice goalkeeper following Ederson’s departure to Galatasaray.
The opportunity came when Gianluigi Donnarumma refused to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, making him available for transfer. City moved quickly, sealing the deal for under £30 million. The Italian international, now set to wear the No.25 shirt, is already being hailed as one of the best signings of the summer.
City’s rivals know just how big this move could be. Arsenal and Liverpool were both frustrated by Donnarumma’s brilliance in last season’s Champions League. Following Arsenal’s semi-final defeat to PSG, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and even manager Mikel Arteta praised the goalkeeper’s match-winning performances.
Arteta described Donnarumma as PSG’s most decisive player, while Rice admitted that his saves were the reason Arsenal could not score more goals. “Over the two legs, we could have scored three or four goals, but Donnarumma’s been unbelievable,” Rice told UEFA TV.
For City, his arrival comes at a crucial time. After a disappointing 2024/25 campaign and a poor start to the new season with two defeats in their opening three matches, Guardiola will hope Donnarumma’s presence can steady the team and reignite their title challenge against Liverpool and Arsenal.