Gianluigi Donnarumma to Man City 'sticking point' revealed after new talks
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Credit: Imago / Getty Images
Ben Palmer
Fri 29 August 2025 21:25, UK
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s transfer to Man City from PSG has hit a sticking point despite the Italian goalkeeper being keen on a move to the Etihad.
After eight years of Ederson being the first-choice for Pep Guardiola in net, the Catalan coach looks ready to field a new shot-stopper.
The former Benfica man’s distribution skills have made him a favourite for the ex-Barcelona manager, but as football moves back towards more classical goalkeepers whose best attributes are their shot-stopping, the 32-year-old is an odd man out.
James Trafford was signed by Man City this summer, and although the 22-year-old made a bright start on his debut against Wolves, a calamitous performance in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham illustrated that he may not be ready to be the starting option just yet.
Man City have held an interest in Donnarumma for much of the window, and the Italy international is surplus to requirements after the arrival of Lucas Chevalier in the French capital.
However, despite there being confidence in a club-to-club agreement, there is a sticking point that is holding up his move to Manchester.
Credit: Imago
Speaking on the Transfers Podcast, Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles revealed that despite talks progressing for the 26-year-old’s move to the Etihad, Donnarumma’s agent’s demands were holding up a deal
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He said (29 August, 36.00mins): “City have been progressing their move for Donnarumma.
The latest on that is there’s been good conversations between Manchester City and PSG in the past week.
“There is a belief that they can come to an agreement on the transfer fee for Donnarumma.
“Donnarumma has agreed personal terms with Manchester City and is happy to move there.
“The sticking point, I’m told at present, is Donnarumma’s agent and the commission that he is asking for the deal.
That large commission is complicating an agreement on a transfer fee between Manchester City and PSG.”
Castles then added after talking about Donnarumma‘s move that Ederson’s prospective exit from the club was facing issues of its own.
He said: “The guidance I have is that Man City’s director of football Hugo Viana is trying to achieve a fee of €25m (£21.6m) for Ederson, and that Galatasaray have been working to bring that down to €15m (£13m) or even €10m (£8.7m).”
Credit: Imago
Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively that Man City were prepared to accept an offer for Ederson, but the asking price for the Brazilian is proving to be a problem.
However, Castles went on to say that he was confident that the 31-year-old would be a Galatasaray player by the end of the window.
Football Insider Verdict
City’s interest in Donnarumma is surprising to say the least.
Whilst there has been a shift in what top coaches are now looking for in the number ones, the former AC Milan player is the exact opposite of what Guardiola has always wanted from his man between the sticks.
However, Trafford’s performance against Tottenham was a timely reminder of the importance of having a goalkeeper you can rely on.
City and Guardiola no longer have room for errors in that department, particularly after the disastrous 2024/25 campaign.
As the Sky Blues are competing on multiple fronts this season, it will be interesting to see if there is a battle for the number one spot, or whether rotation is the name of the game.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
What adds to the weirdness of the signing of Trafford and the ensuing pursuit of Donnarumma is the fairly small age gap between the pair.
Whilst the Italian has been around for what feels like forever, he is only four years the Englishman’s senior.
Donnarumma has shown a willingness to move on when a better situation presents itself and Trafford is unlikely to accept being second-choice with a position in England’s starting XI up for grabs, making the goalkeeping conundrum at the Etihad all the more confusing.