Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Manchester City on the transfer deadline with a £26 million deal, but the Italian goalkeeper also linked the move to the other side of Manchester
The reason for not signing Manchester United’s Gianluigi Donnaruma appeared after his move to the other side of town. Donnaruma, 26, joined Manchester City on the transfer deadline, costing only £26 million from Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG added surplus to the requirements after the Italian goalkeeper scored the final 12 months of his contract. There have been attempts to extend his stay in the French capital, but after negotiations became sour, Louis Enrique took turns firing £34 million – marking the end of the Donnarumma era between Lucas Chevalier of Lille – the post of the Park de Princess.
There are reports that United were interested in Donalumma after the Club World Cup, when PSG lost their final 3-0 to Chelsea. However, it soon became clear that the Red Devils had not made an offer to the 26-year-old.
United ultimately chose to sign Senne Lammens in Royal Antwerp for the first £18.2m. The Red Devils also discussed with Aston Villa shot stopper Emiliano Martinez.
That gave City a free run at Donnrumma. They signed what they welcomed by critics as a £26 million fee. However, it was not what PSG asked Italian International to postpone United.
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According to Sky Sports, both Donnarumma and Martinez wanted a huge salary that the Old Trafford chief was not eager to pay. United knows how difficult it is to shift players with big wages, so they felt that future sales have little value.
Despite costing just £8 million, Lammens’ modest salary represents a much cheaper package and someone who can sell for more profits. The two goalkeepers were able to debut each other after an international break as City united in Etihad.
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“Signing Manchester City is a very special and proud moment for me,” Donnaruma said. “I’m on a team with world-class talent and a team led by one of the greatest managers in Pep Guardiola’s history of football.
“This is a club that every football player in the world wants to participate in, and I have admired watching Manchester City for many years.
“I can’t wait to meet my new teammates, staff and fans. Playing at Etihad Stadium is very special to me. I’m very excited about what’s going forward and I can promise to absolutely give it to help the club become even more successful.”
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