Manchester City are no strangers to signing a superstar.
Erling Haaland was – and still largely is – the talk of the football world at the time of his £51m move to Manchester City in June 2022.
Another superstar then followed as £77.6m was spent on Josko Gvardiol in August 2023.
It should be noted that Manchester City produce superstars themselves, with Phil Foden emerging from the City Football Academy, while Rodri was far from the Ballon d’Or level talent he is today during his first few years at the Etihad Stadium.
Now – according to Tuttosport in Italy – Manchester City are ready to do all they can to sign another top player in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manchester City willing to go all out to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Italian news outlet now state (via Tutto Mercato Web) that Manchester City are determined to land the PSG No.1 this summer.
Donnarumma – who Gary Lineker backed to win the Ballon d’Or after the Italy international helped PSG win a Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League treble last season – is currently at odds with the Parisians during discussions over a new contract.
PSG are keen to reduce the Italian’s basic wage down from €12m-a-year (£10.4m) to around €9m (£7.8m), with the rest made up of performance-related bonus payments.
Understandably, that has not gone down well with Donnarumma after his heroic 2024/25 campaign, in which he kept 17 clean sheets in 47 appearances across all competitions.
Tuttosport add that Manchester City are aware of the stuttering contract talks and are “ready to do whatever it takes” to sign the 26-year-old this summer, although Bayern Munich hold the same stance.
It is said that Europe’s leading clubs – presumably including Manchester City – would have no problem offering Donnarumma an annual salary of up to €15m (£13m) as he finds himself with only ten months remaining on his current terms.
Manchester City are in the market for a new goalkeeper as Ederson is willing to join Galatasaray – after the Turkish giants made an approach.
The Brazil international is in a similar situation to Donnarumma, as he too only has ten months remaining on his contract.
Manchester City News understand Stefan Ortega is also exploring an exit this summer – so Pep Guardiola might even need to sign two new goalkeepers.
Stern Gianluigi Donnarumma stance suggests Hugo Viana is running out of options in the hunt to replace Ederson
The fact Manchester City are now willing to do whatever it takes to sign Donnarumma may suggest Hugo Viana – Director of Football at the Etihad Stadium – is running out of potential replacements for Ederson.
Manchester City initially wanted Joan Garcia from Espanyol, before Barcelona sealed a £21m deal for the Spaniard.
The Citizens were then rejected by Michele Di Gregorio – who opted to stay with Juventus.
Furthermore, Manchester City showed an interest in Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the German was frozen out by Barcelona, but an injury could block a move for the 33-year-old this summer.
Therefore, Viana could well be getting fed up, and is now consequently ready to pay more than anticipated to lure Donnarumma away from the Parc des Princes.
