Gianluigi Donnarumma lifts lid on ugly PSG fallout and special Erling Haaland friendship | OneFootball

Manchester City and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has elucidated on his ugly parting of ways with former club Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Donnarumma played a pivotal role in the Parisians breaking their European hoodoo and going all the way in the UEFA Champions League last term, making a series of crucial saves in the French outfit’s semi-final victory over Arsenal en route to a 5-0 thrashing of Inter in the final.

The 26-year-old was entering the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes heading into the summer and talks were expected to smoothen out between Donnarumma’s representatives and PSG, who had just won their premier UEFA Champions League title.

However, Donnarumma’s firm stance on what he felt was a reasonable salary hike on his last contract and PSG’s refusal to make the Italian one of the club’s highest earners saw the Ligue 1 side axe the AC Milan graduate as manager Luis Enrique quickly found a replacement in Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

“I felt let down (by PSG) because I adapted, paid special attention. But the last few months were completely different. That disappointed me. I’ll never be able to explain but you have to accept it,” the shotstopper said in a recent interview with Sky Sports.

“I was disappointed, the way they managed the situation. It’s unfortunate, but you have to move on. I’ll always thank PSG for what they gave me, what I gave them, it was fantastic. I always thank the fans.

“I’ll always go back to Paris, they gave me a second home, such a fundamental part of my life. I’m happy with what I achieved and what my team-mates and fans gave me – I’ll always be grateful.”

Confirming his departure from Paris in an emotional social media post, Donnarumma sent alerts to Manchester and City – led by new director of football Hugo Viana – capitalised on an opening in the market and secured the arrival of the goalkeeper for a cut-price £26 million on deadline day.

Less than three months into his arrival to England, Donnarumma has established himself as one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet as Manchester City look to challenge runaway league leaders Arsenal for the Premier League title.

“I didn’t expect to have such a positive impact on the Premier League. But the team helped me a lot because they welcome me very well,” the Italian added.

“They helped me a lot in the first games, especially the first just three days in. In the first training session, it felt like I’d been there two years. The league is very different, a lot of running, intensity so I had to adapt immediately. But the team has been fundamental for me in these first few months.”

Donnarumma has also forged a close relationship with Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland, who has netted 32 times in all competitions for club and country this season – with the pair being a key driving force for the Blues’ resurgence since August.

“An incredible player. It’s important to have a player like that in our team,” Donnarumma said on Haaland, in conversation with Manchester City’s official channels.

“He’s a great player; one of the best in the world and it’s fantastic. It’s a pleasure to play him. He’s very calm and he works a lot for the team. And he’s a great friend too.”

A 2-1 loss to Newcastle on Saturday saw Donnarumma and City slip up again in the title race and Arsenal took full advantage of the result, putting Tottenham to the sword in an emphatic 4-1 triumph on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.