Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Wed 13 August 2025 19:53, UK

Man City appear to be pushing through a deal for PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, and I am not the only supporter baffled by the decision.

Transfer Confidential: Four-way battle for Adam Wharton, Man City eye Gianluigi Donnarumma move, Man United's five stars heading for exit, third winger on Spurs' list revealed and latest on Aston Villa's push to re-sign Marco Asensio	Transfer Confidential: Five-way battle for Adam Wharton, Man City eye Gianluigi Donnarumma move, Man United's five stars heading for exit, third winger on Spurs' list revealed and latest on Aston Villa's push to re-sign Marco Asensio	Man City ready to offer Donnarumma blockbuster deal as exit on the cards

While the Italy international has 74 caps to his name and has become one of the best shot-stoppers in the world of football, there are several reasons why a move to the Etihad Stadium makes no sense.

Donnarumma’s sources denying talks with Man City has thrown the saga into a new twist, but as fresh updates continue to emerge, it seems ever likely that joining the Citizens is the goalkeeper’s future.

This comes just days after James Trafford made his dream move back to the Etihad, having spent the last two seasons with Burnley, proving himself as one of the best ‘keepers in the division.

I was absolutely gutted to see the now-22-year-old leave permanently, but with the talents of Ederson and Stefan Ortega ahead of him, the realisation that a move away would enhance his development hit me.

Knowing how talented the youngster could turn out to be, it was difficult to see City make the decision so easily, but now that he has returned from Turf Moor, he deserves the chance to keep the No.1 spot.

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While he has appeared a little nervous during pre-season, that is entirely normal for a job of such huge proportions, and bringing Donnarumma to the club would only crush his spirit and confidence.

Clubs all over the world want to see their academy products flourish in the first team, much like Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly, and Rico Lewis have done in recent seasons, but I believe this would set Trafford back.

Guardiola stuck by Ederson at the toughest of times, when risks were turning into goal-costing errors, but he was sure that selling Joe Hart was the answer.

Trafford could be first-choice for the next decade.

Now, a move for Donnarumma would be massively hypocritical.

The move makes absolutely no sense for Guardiola’s style of play.

Sure, Ederson’s ability with his hands has often been questioned, but his talents with the ball at his feet is second to none in the Premier League.

Ranking in the top 79th percentile for touches [FBref], Trafford is clearly capable of offering the same output with his feet, which will be hugely important when finding exit-linked Ederson’s successor.

It does not take a genius or an entire team of scouts to see that PSG‘s star does not have what it takes to handle being under pressure with the ball at his feet, taking chances on his own goalline, or simply adding to the game outside of the penalty area.

He only ranks in the bottom fifth percentile for touches [FBref], and that is far from ideal when Guardiola’s entire philosophy is build on including every single player and always choosing the difficult pass.

These two ideas stick out as the obvious reasons as to why the boss needs to avoid bringing Donnarumma to the club this summer, even despite his incredible shot-stopping abilities, and a major part of what fellow Barcelona treble-winner Luis Enrique is ready to move on from the Italian in Paris.

Whether the rumours are true or not, it appears to me that the decision should be pretty simple, but as supporters have found out, Guardiola is always one to be unpredictable at the Etihad.

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