Gianluigi Donnarumma opens up on Man City transfer, Pep Guardiola chat and playing out from the back

Gianluigi Donnarumma opens up on Man City transfer, Pep Guardiola chat and playing out from the back

Manchester City signed Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day and he has been speaking about the transfer.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been speaking about his deadline day move to Manchester City

Gianluigi Donnarumma said it was an "indescribable emotion" to be wanted by Pep Guardiola after completing his £26million move to Manchester City on deadline day.

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The 26-year-old joined from Paris St-Germain after being ostracised by Luis Enrique, but City pushed for his signature in the final weeks of the transfer window as they worked on a deal to sell Ederson to Fenerbahce.

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Donnarumma's arrival signals a potential shift in style in goal for City, with Ederson probably the world's leading goalkeeper with the ball at his feet, while the Italian is more of a traditional No. 1. He produced a string of stunning saves to help PSG win the Champions League last season.

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Speaking while on international duty with Italy, Donnarumma played down any concerns about his ability to contribute to City's build-up play, and said he had wanted to sign for Guardiola from the moment the club's interest in him became apparent.

“When you are wanted so strongly by a club like City it means you’ve worked well, and being wanted by one of the strongest coaches in the world like Guardiola is an indescribable emotion," he said.

“I’ve always trained well and I couldn’t wait to join City because they really wanted me, the coach really wanted me, and that made me proud. To be wanted so strongly by the best club in the world makes me proud, but also very emotional and happy.”

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City's decision to pursue Donnarumma has raised a few eyebrows, given those stylistic differences between the club's former No. 1 and the new arrival.

But the former AC Milan stopper insisted he was confident he could adapt and learn new tricks and that Guardiola's decision to push for him spoke volumes.

“Every coach makes his own choices, I don’t know the reasons, but I’m proud to be coached by Guardiola, who has won so much and is one of the best in the world," said Donnarumma.

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“I always try to help the team and do what the coach asks of me. I do everything; you can always improve in everything, but regarding what the coach asks of me, I try to improve. I’m sure that with Guardiola we’ll do a great job.

“Since I started playing at 16 until today, I’ve always done great things. Mistakes will always happen, but I believe I’ve achieved great things.”

Despite Donnarumma's performances on the way to last season's European crown, Enrique made the ruthless decision to cast him adrift this season and sign Lucas Chevalier from Lille, signalling his own shift in style to a goalkeeper more confident with the ball at his feet.

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Donnarumma was given a rapturous farewell at the Parc des Princes before PSG's opening game of the season and said he didn't hold a grudge over the way his time at the club ended.

“I’ve always had an excellent relationship with the coach," he said. "He was direct with me from the very first days of training camp. Disappointed? I don’t know. Everyone makes their own choices.

"The coach has the power to decide, but having the support of everyone – especially my teammates – made me realise what I had given to PSG, and I think that’s the most important thing.

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"Because beyond football, what remains is this: knowing the affection of the whole environment, of my teammates, made me proud of what I left behind.”

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