Manchester United have made an enquiry to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma as the club view the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper as an “upgrade” on Andre Onana, according to ESPN.
Onana, 29, has endured a miserable season at Old Trafford with a series of costly errors for the Red Devils, despite beginning the year in good form.
The Cameroonian’s back-up, Altay Bayindir, has performed even more shakily in his stead, leaving Ruben Amorim between an incompetent rock and a disastrous hard place over a preferred number one.
By contrast, Donnarumma has enjoyed a stellar campaign as he has helped propel PSG to an historic treble with Luis Enrique’s side winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League at a canter.
And it was in Europe the Italian international really shone, producing multiple match-winning saves against Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal en route to the final in Munich against Inter Milan.
But Donnarumma’s contract at the Parc de Princes expires next summer and contract talks have, thus far, failed to reach an agreement on a renewal.
This window of uncertainty put a host of clubs across the continent on red-alert over the unexpected availability of one of the world’s best goalkeepers, including United.
ESPN reveals Old Trafford officials viewed Donnarumma as a “great market opportunity” given the significant “upgrade” the 26-year-old provided on Onana (and Bayindir). This led United to log an enquiry with the Italian’s representatives over the possibility of a summer switch.
“Donnarumma’s deal expires next June and sources have told ESPN that both Inter Milan and Manchester United had enquired to the 26-year-old’s agent, Enzo Raiola, about a potential transfer,” the report details.
Yesterday, however, Donnarumma reiterated his desire to remain with PSG beyond his current contract, dispelling suggestions of an exit from the French capital. “My priority is to stay at PSG. I don’t think there will be problems in the negotiations,” he revealed after Italy’s 2-0 win over Moldova.
ESPN reveal PSG director, Luis Campos, will look to “resume negotiations” with Donnarumma’s agent after the international break, though the report does contend the Ligue 1 champions are looking at LOSC Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier – a target for United as well – as a potential replacement.
This does not appear a transfer saga with any meaningful legs despite Donnarumma constituting a dramatic improvement on the existing goalkeepers at Old Trafford. But then a lamppost would likely provide an upgrade for Amorim at this stage and would be significantly cheaper to secure from Manchester City Council.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
