Manchester City Make Decisive Move for Gianluigi Donnarumma Amid Ederson Uncertainty and Chelsea Interest

Manchester City Make Decisive Move for Gianluigi Donnarumma Amid Ederson Uncertainty and Chelsea Interest

 

Manchester City have made a decisive and ambitious move to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Paris Saint-Germain and Italy national team goalkeeper, for a reported fee of £34.7 million. The approach comes amid ongoing uncertainty around the future of their current No.1, Ederson, who has reportedly reached a personal agreement with Turkish giants Galatasaray. While City remain hopeful of keeping the Brazilian for another season, they are not leaving anything to chance—hence their aggressive pursuit of Donnarumma, who is also on Chelsea’s radar.

 

The potential arrival of the 25-year-old Italian international would be a major shift in the goalkeeper department for the reigning Premier League champions and could signal a new era at the Etihad.

 

 

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Ederson’s Future in Doubt

 

Ederson has been a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side since his arrival in 2017. His distribution revolutionized the way goalkeepers operate in modern football. He has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, multiple EFL Cups, and most notably, the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, where City completed a historic treble.

 

However, after nearly a decade at the club and following a series of injuries and inconsistent patches in the 2023–24 season, speculation around his future has intensified. Reports from Turkey confirm that Ederson has agreed personal terms with Galatasaray, who are offering a long-term contract and a prominent role as the face of their team both domestically and in Europe.

 

City, while respecting Ederson’s legendary contribution, are also prepared to evolve their squad and see this as an opportunity to reshape the role between the posts.

 

 

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Enter Gianluigi Donnarumma: The Heir Apparent?

 

In the event Ederson departs, City are targeting none other than Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper who has long been viewed as one of the best shot-stoppers of his generation. Donnarumma burst onto the scene with AC Milan at just 16 and has since gone on to win Euro 2020, where he was named Player of the Tournament, and multiple Ligue 1 titles with PSG.

 

However, his time in Paris hasn’t been without complications. The arrival and rotation of Keylor Navas, the pressure of performing under the microscope, and questions about his ball-playing ability have left Donnarumma seeking clarity over his future. With PSG also reportedly interested in a new keeper, the door could be open for Donnarumma to leave if the right offer arrives.

 

City’s £34.7 million bid is said to be structured with performance bonuses and sell-on clauses, something PSG are reportedly considering. Crucially, Donnarumma is interested in a move to the Premier League, and the chance to play under Guardiola is a major draw.

 

 

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Chelsea Lurking in the Background

 

While Manchester City lead the race, Chelsea have also shown strong interest in Donnarumma. The Blues are in the market for a commanding presence in goal, having struggled for consistency between Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrović. New manager Enzo Maresca, a former assistant to Guardiola, values technical goalkeepers and ball circulation—a skill set Donnarumma is still developing.

 

Chelsea’s project, however, remains in a rebuilding phase. While their financial power allows them to compete with City in terms of fees and wages, it’s the lack of Champions League football that could work against them in the race for the Italian. Donnarumma, already established at the highest level, is believed to prefer immediate contention for top European honors.

 

 

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Guardiola’s Goalkeeper Evolution

 

Guardiola has always demanded a lot from his goalkeepers—not just as shot-stoppers, but as first-line playmakers. Ederson has been perfect in that regard, his distribution and confidence on the ball making him almost a third centre-back in build-up play.

 

Donnarumma, while a physical giant and an excellent shot-stopper, is not yet at Ederson’s level with his feet. This has led to some questions over whether he is the ideal fit for City. However, insiders suggest that Guardiola sees Donnarumma as a long-term project—someone who, under his guidance, can develop the ball-playing ability required and bring a different edge to City’s last line of defense.

 

At 25, Donnarumma still has a decade or more at the top, and his raw tools—reflexes, height, command of the box—make him a tantalizing prospect.

 

 

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City’s Strategy: Plan A and Plan B

 

While Manchester City have initiated talks with Donnarumma’s representatives and PSG, they are not abandoning Ederson just yet. The club is still holding conversations with the Brazilian to convince him to stay, especially if no replacement is secured. City’s internal strategy reportedly revolves around two possible outcomes:

 

Plan A: Retain Ederson for at least one more season while grooming a younger backup (like Stefan Ortega or an academy graduate) for future succession.

 

Plan B: If Ederson pushes for a move, secure Donnarumma immediately and hand him the No.1 shirt going into the 2025–26 season.

 

 

City have already begun contingency planning, and sources suggest Guardiola and Director of Football Txiki Begiristain want clarity before the end of July to ensure pre-season preparations are settled.

 

 

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Financials and Contract Details

 

Donnarumma’s current contract with PSG runs until 2026, but the French champions are not entirely closed to selling, especially if they can secure a new goalkeeper like Mike Maignan or Diogo Costa.

 

City’s offer of £34.7 million is close to PSG’s valuation, and talks are ongoing over final fee structures and image rights. Donnarumma is believed to be open to a wage cut if it means playing regular football under Guardiola and contending for the Champions League.

 

 

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What This Means for Stefan Ortega

 

City’s No.2 goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, has impressed when called upon and played a crucial role in last season’s title run-in. While he is highly rated within the squad, there are doubts whether he is ready to be the undisputed starter at a club like Manchester City.

 

If both Ederson and Donnarumma remain in flux, Ortega could be offered a new contract and promised increased minutes. However, interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund could tempt him back to Germany if a clear No.1 role is offered.

 

 

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Final Thoughts: A Defining Transfer Window for City’s Goalkeeping Future

 

Manchester City’s move for Gianluigi Donnarumma is more than a transfer—it’s a strategic pivot. The club is planning for the next phase of its evolution under Guardiola, and that includes potentially replacing one of its longest-serving and most iconic players in Ederson.

 

If Ederson does leave, City are determined not to be caught unprepared. In Donnarumma, they see not only a replacement but a potential pillar for the next decade. The deal won’t be easy—competition from Chelsea, PSG’s demands, and stylistic questions all stand in the way—but the intent is clear: City are building for the future, and they want Donnarumma to be part of it.

 

The next few weeks will be critical as the transfer window heats up. Ederson’s future could be decided any day now—and if it leads to Donnarumma arriving in Manchester, the landscape of Premier League goalkeeping will be changed in a flash.

 

One thing is certain: Guardiola is planning ahead, and he’s not leaving any position—especially the goalkeeper—unguarded.