Man United Approaches Champions League Winner
Manchester United might be edging closer to their most crucial summer signing, Gianluigi Donnarumma. The towering Italian goalkeeper, fresh off helping Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lift their first-ever Champions League trophy, is now at the center of a developing transfer saga with plenty of clubs watching closely. Still, the Red Devils might be leading the race. The English club could have a third main man behind the sticks after Andre Onana and David de Gea.
Trouble Brewing In Paris
Things behind the scenes at PSG aren’t as smooth as their performances on the pitch. Donnarumma, now 26, has just a year left on his current deal, and negotiations for an extension have hit a standstill. Despite playing a huge role in their historic European campaign and having made up to 154 appearances since his move from AC Milan in 2021, the Italian faces an uncertain future.
PSG would ideally like to keep him, there’s no question about that. But Donnarumma reportedly isn’t satisfied with the financial terms on offer, and with no breakthrough in sight, the French champions have started to prepare for what might happen when he leaves.
The most telling sign? The club has already begun looking at potential replacements, including Lille’s rising star Lucas Chevalier, who could cost nearly €50 million. If a suitable offer comes in this summer, PSG will be open to selling, and that’s where Manchester United comes into play.
United’s Goalkeeping Issues
It’s no secret that United is rethinking its goalkeeping setup. Andre Onana arrived just two summers ago for £47.1 million, but the former Inter Milan man hasn’t had the most leisurely ride in Manchester. While he’s shown flashes of his ball-playing brilliance, consistency has been lacking, and errors have been on the rise. Onana has had the most goalkeeping errors in the league since his debut with United. Fans and pundits alike have questioned whether he’s truly the long-term solution.
New Manager Rúben Amorim reportedly wants a new keeper between the sticks, and the chance to bring in a proven winner like Donnarumma, at a bargain price of £34 million ($40 million), is simply too good to ignore. Securing a player of his caliber would send a big statement for a club trying to climb back to the top of the Premier League and re-establish itself in Europe.
At 26, Donnarumma is still relatively young in goalkeeper years but already has a powerful CV. He was Italy’s hero during their Euro 2020 win, saving three penalties in the final at Wembley. This season, he was immense for PSG in Europe, earning a spot in UEFA’s Team of the Season. He’s the type of player United fans could rally behind and one that could add much-needed steel to a leaky defense.
Not Just United In the Mix
Of course, a player of Donnarumma’s stature doesn’t hit the market without attracting attention. Manchester City have also been keeping tabs on the situation, viewing him as a potential long-term successor to Ederson, who turns 32 later this year. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and even Barcelona have all been loosely linked recently.
However, there’s a twist. Despite all the speculation, Donnarumma has publicly said he wishes to stay at PSG. After Italy’s 2–0 win over Moldova on June 9, he told reporters: “My priority is to stay at PSG. I don’t think there will be problems with the negotiations.” That said, his tone wasn’t exactly definitive, and in modern football, public declarations often tell just half the story.
What we do know is that the clock is ticking. PSG won’t want to risk losing him on a free transfer next summer if a new deal isn’t agreed upon soon. They’re open to selling now, but only on their terms, and that €40 million price tag, while steep, is far below what a player of Donnarumma’s level would typically cost in today’s market.
What Happens Next?
The next few weeks could be crucial for United. Amorim has already made it clear that he wants to refresh the squad, and if the club can move quickly and decisively, they might get their man. The club has also explored other options. Emi Martínez at Aston Villa remains on their list, but Donnarumma is undoubtedly the standout.
This deal would improve United on the pitch and signal a shift in ambition under their new managerial project. For all the criticism aimed at Old Trafford in recent years, landing a Champions League-winning goalkeeper in his prime would be a serious boost and one that fans could get excited about. For Donnarumma, the idea of being the face of a new era at Manchester United, returning them to the summit of English and European football, might be the challenge he didn’t know he needed.
