Donnarumma was a cornerstone of PSG's historic 2024-25 season, keeping 17 clean sheets in 47 matches and playing a pivotal role in their first-ever Champions League triumph, a long-held ambition for the club's owners since 2011.

The 26-year-old also helped PSG dominate domestically, clinching Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the French Super Cup under manager Luis Enrique. "When someone is at the highest level, he must know that he will get the highest criticism as well as the highest praise," Enrique said of Donnarumma's standout displays.

However, with his contract set to expire in June 2026 and negotiations over a new deal stalled, PSG have braced for his potential departure.

The French giants have already agreed a 40-million-euro deal to sign Lille's promising goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, signaling their readiness to move on without Donnarumma. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla reported that PSG's "lowball" contract offer was rejected, sparking a "tense battle" for the Italy captain's services.

Manchester City are emerging as frontrunners, with sources indicating that manager Pep Guardiola has a "real passion" for signing Donnarumma, viewing him as a unique market opportunity. "Donnarumma is… Donnarumma," Pedulla noted, underlining City's belief that his quality is unmatched.

The Citizens are prepared to offer 25-30 million euros to secure the deal in the coming days, though PSG may hold out for a higher fee. If no agreement is reached, City are ready to wait until next summer to sign him on a free transfer.

This move could shake up their goalkeeping ranks, with Ederson's future uncertain and Stefan Ortega reportedly seeking a new club after falling out of Guardiola's plans.

Manchester United are also in the hunt, eyeing Donnarumma as a potential upgrade over Andre Onana, who has struggled since his 47.2-million-pound move from Inter Milan in 2023, committing eight errors leading to goals, the most by any Premier League goalkeeper in that period.

Sources claim that Donnarumma is "tempted" by the challenge of restoring United's status as title contenders, drawn by the club's historic stature despite their lack of European football this season. United manager Ruben Amorim has backed Onana to improve but remains open to a high-profile replacement, with talks reportedly underway.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea have also made enquiries, though Bayern's interest appears secondary to City's and United's pursuits, while Chelsea's strict wage structure may hinder their chances of meeting Donnarumma's demands.

Turkish side Galatasaray and Saudi club Al-Ittihad have entered the fray, with the latter offering a staggering 20-million-euro annual salary, though a move outside Europe seems unlikely for the 26-year-old at this stage of his career.

However, Donnarumma himself has expressed a desire to stay put, stating in June, "My priority is to stay at PSG and sign a new deal". Despite this, the arrival of Chevalier could force his hand, leaving his future uncertain as the transfer window heats up.

With Donnarumma's world-class talent and proven track record, highlighted by his heroics in Italy's Euro 2020 win and PSG's Champions League success, the race for his signature is set to intensify.

Whether he stays in Paris or joins a new challenge in the Premier League or beyond, the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the next chapter of his illustrious career.

Richard Arnold steps down as Manchester United chief executive