Chelsea have officially pulled out of the potential race to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s wantaway goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite recent links suggesting they were one of the expected suitors, the club has now clarified that the Italian international is not a transfer target this summer.
According to the latest reports, Chelsea are “not in active talks” to sign the superstar goalkeeper. The reason given is that the club’s hierarchy and manager Enzo Maresca are “happy with their goalkeepers” and do not feel the need to make a major, expensive addition in that position at this time.
This news comes just as Donnarumma’s exit from PSG has become inevitable. His relationship with the French club is said to be “completely broken” after he was surprisingly excluded from their Super Cup squad, and he is now actively seeking a new club, with the Premier League his preferred destination.
Chelsea’s withdrawal from the running is a massive boost for their Premier League rivals, Manchester United. The Red Devils are known to be in the market for a new number one, and it was reported last week that Donnarumma wants to join them as part of Ruben Amorim’s new project.
With Manchester City having already completed a deal to sign James Trafford, and now Chelsea officially ruling themselves out, the path for Manchester United to sign Donnarumma is clearer than ever. They now appear to be the only major English club in a position to make a serious and concrete move for the 26-year-old.
While PSG may have been expecting a bidding war between several of Europe’s top clubs, the race for Gianluigi Donnarumma has quickly and dramatically narrowed. Chelsea’s decision to stick with their current goalkeeping options has left the door wide open for Manchester United to make their move.