PSG sporting director explains decision to sell Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma (26) is one of the major factors in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League success last season. The Italian was exceptional in the lead up to the final in Munich, in what was undoubtedly his best period since joining the club on a free back in 2021.

However, his time with the European champions came to an abrupt end this summer. The reason for the divorce was contractual. The Italian had just one year remaining on his deal at the Parc des Princes, and Les Parisiens were desperate to avoid a repeat of the Kylian Mbappé saga.

As a result, an ultimatum was posed: extend your contract or leave. As exclusively reported by Get French Football News back in May, there was a set of criteria that applied to all players who sign extensions with Les Parisiens, which must be accepted by Donnarumma if a deal were to be signed. That entailed a decrease in salary but considerable performance-related bonuses.

Luís Campos, PSG’s sporting director, has provided more insight into the failed talks. “Donnarumma asked for an old-PSG salary, not the current PSG. Our policy is closely tied to sporting performance; you earn more when you deserve it,” he began in an interview with RMC Sport show Rothen s’enflamme.

He continued, “Donnarumma was the first player we approached about an extension, but we quickly understood that it would be difficult due to his demands. We both took time to discuss Gianluigi’s situation. It is a set of circumstances that led to his departure […] the club is more important than any individual.”

PSG have since signed Lucas Chevalier as his replacement, with Luis Enrique also citing sporting motivations. Donnarumma has since joined Manchester City and made an impressive debut against cross-city rivals Manchester United.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle