Pep Guardiola approves Gianluigi Donnarumma signing as agent comments on Manchester City talks
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola considers Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as one of the best goalkeepers in the world amid interest in the Italy international from the Etihad Stadium, as per a new report.Donnarumma will leave Paris Saint-Germain in the coming weeks after a long-standing contract standoff with the club’s hierarchy culminated in a decision to offload the 26-year-old as he enters the final year of his deal at the Parc des Princes.AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThree months on from spearheading the Parisiens to their maiden UEFA Champions League title, Donnarumma has been shown the door in an abrupt manner that has drawn criticism from the Italy international and his agent Enzo Raiola.Manchester City are believed to be the frontrunners in the race to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star, who is entering the prime of his career and will prove to be one of acquisitions of the summer transfer window for the club that secure his signature.After months of speculation around the future of Ederson, the 31-year-old confirmed in a few interviews in July that he expects to stay at the Etihad Stadium and honour the final year of his current contract.However, it is no secret that the Brazil international wants a new challenge and after failing to engineer a transfer to the Saudi Pro League last summer, Ederson is understood to have agreed personal terms with Galatasaray as we enter the final few weeks of the transfer window.AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementManchester City consider Ederson, who joined the Blues from Benfica in 2017, as part of their plans for the 2025-26 campaign, but will allow a sale should the goalkeeper inform the club he wants to leave and an acceptable offer make its way to the Etihad Stadium.City have already overhauled their goalkeeping department this summer with the additions of Marcus Bettinelli and James Trafford following the departure of Scott Carson, with Stefan Ortega Moreno also expected to complete a permanent transfer in the coming weeks to solidify his place as Germany’s number one ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In an appearance on BBC 5 Live Sport this week, Spanish journalist and author Guillem Balague has provided a peak through the curtain into Pep Guardiola’s outlook on Donnarumma as Manchester City await a resolution on Ederson’s future.Balague has indicated that Guardiola considers Donnarumma amongst the best three goalkeepers in world football, which reflects a seal of approval from the Manchester City manager for director of football Hugo Viana to strengthen the club’s pursuit of the Italian if and when Ederson leaves in this window.AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementGuardiola is understood to have held a direct conversation with Donnarumma, who is believed to have agreed personal terms to move to the Etihad Stadium should Manchester City follow through their initial interest with a formal offer to Paris Saint-Germain for the 26-year-old.Ederson remains Manchester City’s number one for the timebeing, though it will be interesting to see if the Brazilian starts in goal in the Premier League opener against Wolves at the weekend – after James Trafford made his first start for his boyhood club against Palermo last week since returning from Burnley in a £27 million transfer this summer.Speaking to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano on his client’s future this week, Raiola has hinted that the Italian is on his way to England. “Premier League is the right step for Gigio (Donnarumma) in my view, we’re working on it,” the goalkeeper’s agent said.
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