Man City transfer news: Gianluigi Donnarumma close to agreeing deal as Ederson ready for exit
AFNEWS reporter
Sep 01, 2025
Man City transfer news: Gianluigi Donnarumma close to agreeing deal as Ederson ready for exit
Manchester City are close to an agreement for PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma; if the deal happens before Monday's 7pm deadline, City will sanction a move for Ederson; the Brazil international is a target for Fenerbahce
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Manchester City are closing in on the signing of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
The club are increasingly confident of agreeing terms with the player, with the framework of a deal between the clubs agreed in principle.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
There is still work to do, however, and anything can happen on Deadline Day.
READ ALSO: (OPINION) Nnaji Obed Asiegbu: Public Servant With Community Interest | READ PROFILE
In turn, Fenerbahce are getting closer to agreeing a deal to sign Ederson.
Man City will only sanction an exit for Ederson if they sign Donnarumma as his replacement before Monday's 7pm deadline.
READ ALSO: Complete Investigations Before Arrest, Stop Media Trial - Senate To EFCC
Ederson joined Man City in the summer of 2017 for £35m from Portuguese club Benfica.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
He has made 372 appearances, keeping 168 clean sheets.
'Not a Guardiola goalkeeper'
Only Manchester City have been talking to PSG to see what's possible.
READ ALSO: Alex Otti Set To Formally Join APC, Date Unveiled |READ FULL
Is he the right fit for Manchester City? The answer is: 100 per cent, he isn't.
READ ALSO: ABIA PANEL: How Police Beat Me till I passed Out, Charged Me For Hate Speech | READ IN FULL
On saves, him and Thibaut Courtois, there are no goalkeepers better, maybe that is enough for Guardiola to say he wants him.
READ ALSO: How Nigerian Troops Foiled Terrorists' Attack On Yobe Community, Capture Equipment
But to play for Guardiola you have to be good with your feet. If you're not good with the ball at your feet, you are not a Guardiola goalkeeper.
READ ALSO: EFCC: Immediate past Head of Service, Oyo-Ita, 8 others to be arraigned on Monday
His distribution is not good enough for a Guardiola team. And his other weakness is he does not come for the ball in the air, he doesn't like coming for crosses and corners.
If there is one league in the world where you have to be brave like that, it's the Premier League. I cannot see how Guardiola thinks 'this is the perfect guy for me'.
'Donnarumma leaving PSG with best wishes'
PSG are sticking to their word to make sure Donnarumma gets the move he wants to leave the club in a respectful way - even though they were unable to agree a new contract with him.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
He is leaving with the best wishes of everyone at PSG and he recently had an emotional goodbye meeting with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Manchester City is the best option for him and it has just been a matter of negotiating a deal and waiting for Ederson's future to be resolved.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Donnarumma's departure will mark the end of the so-called Galactico era. PSG now have a policy of signing younger players on lower base wages.
READ ALSO: (OPINION) Nnaji Obed Asiegbu: Public Servant With Community Interest | READ PROFILE
Donnarumma, like Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio, arrived at PSG as free agents.
PSG are making profit on all three this summer.
Neville: Man City's defence will give teams chances
Gary Neville, speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, says Man City's backline gives up too many chances and is putting pressure on their attackers.
READ ALSO: Complete Investigations Before Arrest, Stop Media Trial - Senate To EFCC
"I didn't think James Trafford was the problem today," he said, reflecting on City's 2-1 loss at Brighton on Super Sunday.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
"I thought he looked a little bit startled against Tottenham. In fact he made a world-class save [at Brighton].
READ ALSO: Alex Otti Set To Formally Join APC, Date Unveiled |READ FULL
"When City were 1-0 up two or three years ago you could almost write the game off. They keep the ball, pop it around, suffocate teams with possession and eventually the team would have to do something and they would either see out a 1-0 win or they'd go and win two and three.
READ ALSO: ABIA PANEL: How Police Beat Me till I passed Out, Charged Me For Hate Speech | READ IN FULL
"That's not this Manchester City now because that's not a clean sheet back four anymore and it's giving teams a chance it's giving teams encouragement which means it puts pressure on the midfield and the forwards to score two and three."
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— AFNEWS reporter