Gianluigi Donnarumma costing PSG millions as Man City stance becomes clear

Paris Saint-Germain are faced with having to subsidise Gianluigi Donnarumma’s staggering £500,000-a-week wages as they look to find a buyer for their out-of-favour Italian keeper. Manchester City have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old if they can agree a deal to sell Brazilian favourite Ederson to Galatasaray.

But the Blues will not be prepared to make Donnarumma the second-highest salary at the Etihad behind Erling Haaland. PSG have been touting the former AC Milan stopper to Premier League clubs all summer - and Chelsea are also now being touted as a possible destination.

Manchester United decided the financial package was too expensive after being quoted a £50million valuation. And although the European champions have since slashed their asking price by half, the player’s personal terms are still deemed excessive.

City have spent £30million this summer bringing England Under-21 international James Trafford back to the club from Burnley. Trafford’s error against Tottenham last weekend sparked suggestions that he may be loaned out for the season. But while Donnarumma would add experience to the City squad, the Italian does not have the passing range that Pep Guardiola demands from his keepers.

City's final game before the international break comes away to a Brighton side who beat them at the Amex Stadium last November. A Manchester Derby awaits after they return, with Manchester United coming to the Etihad on September 14.

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“Always we have the arms around their shoulders - the way we take care of them,” City boss Pep Guardiola said when asked about Trafford's difficult moment. “It is impossible to be better.

“What happened does not belong just to James. To James what happened with the second goal [against Spurs], he’s a strong man and huge personality. Of course he was concerned, and I wouldn’t want it any other way, but we are here to help in those moments.”

City have now learned their fixture schedule for the 2025-26 Champions League. The league phase begins on the week fo September 15, with City kicking things off at home to Napoli on the Thursday as Kevin De Bruyne returns to face his former club - with Leroy Sane returning to Manchester with Galatasaray after the turn of the year.

"I am really pleased that they can come back here and, of course, we have to beat the two teams - Napoli and Galatasaray," Guardiola said of the prospect of facing the duo. "But it is nice to bring them back, and we can give a great welcome to them because they deserve it."

If holders PSG don't offload Donnarumma, the keeper could yet feature against Premier League opponents in Europe. The French side will host Tottenham Hotspur on November 26 and Newcastle on January 28.

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