Gianluigi Donnarumma’s agent reveals secret Manchester City agent propelled deadline day transfer | OneFootball

The agent of Manchester City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has commented on the bond that the Italian and Erling Haaland have shared since the former touched down in England.

Donnarumma joined Pep Guardiola’s side on deadline day in the 2025 summer transfer window for £26 million and has since become a respected figure in the Premier League after exceeding expectations abroad.

In France, where the shotstopper featured 161 times for Paris Saint-Germain before dramatically being forced out of the club due to a disagreement over wages, the 26-year-old won the UEFA Champions League and multiple Ligue 1 titles during his decorated time at the Parc de Princes. 

But since his move to Manchester City – where he has proven to be crucial in his 21 games between the sticks so far – Donnarumma is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in the world, having recently won FIFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper award for 2025.

Largely to thank is Guardiola and the way he has cured doubts surrounding Donnarumma’s contrasting style to Ederson, who is known for his flawless ability on the ball and spent eight years at the Etihad Stadium before moving to Turkish club Fenerbahce in September 2025.

Some appreciation can also be shown to Donnarumma’s City teammates with Haaland having grown as one of his closest friends in the dressing room, according to the Italy international’s agent Enzo Raiola. 

In coversation with Radio Sportiva recently, Raiola – whose cousin Mino was the agent of Haaland before he passed in 2022 – described the pair as ‘exceptional guys’. “From day one, he (Donnarumma) had a bond with him (Haaland),” he said, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.

“They were both in our (talent management) team in the past and therefore worked for the same agency. After Mino’s (Raiola) death, the connection remained and he (Haaland) even resembles Gigio (Donnaruma) in personality.”

The bond between Donnarumma and Haaland was strong before the 26-year-old goalkeeper’s arrival and in September, Donnarumma revealed that Haaland played a big role in his move. 

“He (Haaland) is a fantastic guy, so calm and he loves his family and being with them,” Donnarumma told Sky Sports. “We hit it off. There’s that synergy there where there’s just a natural feeling. Even when we played against each other, we were in touch and after the games we even spoke often.

“Then I had the opportunity to come here (to Manchester City), he (Haaland) wrote to me. He pushed hard for me to come and I thank him so much for that. He’s truly a great friend – and it’s a good thing I play with him because it’s so difficult to be against him – he’s an alien.”

Donnarumma has made crucial, game-changing saves against Manchester United, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace so far this season, which has represented his importance as City aim for a seventh Premier League title in nine years.