Paris Saint-Germain is seriously considering the departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma. According to French media, the Italian goalkeeper is showing no intention of extending his contract, which expires next year, prompting PSG to begin working on finding his replacement.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contractual situation has become one of the central talking points in Paris Saint-Germain’s off-season agenda.
Despite being one of the club’s undisputed starters in recent years and widely regarded as one of the most talented goalkeepers of his generation, his long-term future in Paris is increasingly uncertain. The 26-year-old’s current contract runs until June 2026, and yet, negotiations over a renewal have made little to no progress in recent months a fact that is starting to weigh heavily on the minds of those in charge at the Parc des Princes.
According to multiple French media sources, including L’Équipe and RMC Sport, PSG have grown frustrated with the lack of movement from Donnarumma's camp. While the goalkeeper has not rejected the idea of staying, he is reportedly taking his time before committing, waiting for clarity on the club’s future direction, his guaranteed status in the team, and possibly improvements to the terms of his current deal. Meanwhile, PSG still dealing with the financial and symbolic sting of losing Kylian Mbappé for free to Real Madrid are no longer willing to wait passively and risk repeating the same costly mistake.
Mbappé's departure, which occurred without the club receiving a single euro in transfer fees after years of negotiations and speculation, was seen internally as a failure in squad planning and contract management. The situation surrounding Donnarumma is now being treated with a sense of urgency and strategy that wasn’t present in the Mbappé case, partly because club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has made it clear that no player, regardless of star power or popularity, will be allowed to run their contract down without a clear renewal strategy or a sale plan in place.
Donnarumma joined PSG in 2021 on a free transfer after letting his AC Milan contract expire a move that was initially celebrated as a major coup for the French club. He arrived as the freshly crowned Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 and was seen as a long-term solution between the posts. However, his time in Paris has been marked by highs and lows. He has delivered dominant performances, especially in Ligue 1, but has also made high-profile errors in key Champions League fixtures, notably against Real Madrid in 2022 and again last season, raising questions about his reliability in crunch moments.
It is in this context that PSG are now actively exploring alternative options. According to reports, they have already initiated contact with Lille over the possible transfer of 23-year-old Lucas Chevalier, who is widely considered one of the most promising young goalkeepers in French football. Chevalier, a product of Lille’s youth system, has been a standout performer in Ligue 1 and has earned praise for his composure, reflexes, and ability to play out from the back a quality Luis Enrique values highly in his tactical setup.
Sources close to the situation claim that Chevalier has already held preliminary talks with Luis Enrique, with the Spanish coach personally expressing his interest in working with the young keeper. Enrique is said to view Chevalier as a perfect tactical fit for his system, which relies heavily on a high defensive line and build-up play starting from the goalkeeper. Chevalier’s age also aligns with PSG’s new recruitment strategy, focused on investing in young, French talent to build a sustainable core for the future.
However, negotiations with Lille are expected to be anything but simple. The northern French club is not in a rush to sell and has reportedly placed a high valuation on Chevalier, who is under contract until 2027. Moreover, Lille would first want to secure a replacement, with Dutch outlet Voetbal International reporting that NEC Nijmegen’s Robin Roefs is being targeted as a successor. Still, PSG are said to be ready to push hard for Chevalier, viewing him not just as a backup plan, but potentially as the long-term number one.
All this is unfolding while Donnarumma remains in preseason training with PSG and continues to prepare as though he will stay for the upcoming season. Internally, some sources suggest that the club has not ruled out extending his contract far from it. Discussions are ongoing, and there is optimism in certain quarters that an agreement could still be reached. Donnarumma, for his part, is reportedly not opposed to staying in Paris and has built good relationships within the squad. However, he also wants guarantees: not only in financial terms, but also in terms of his role in the team, especially if a new goalkeeper like Chevalier is brought in.
Adding to the intrigue are reports that Manchester United and Manchester City have shown interest in the Italian international. While neither club has made a formal offer, both are monitoring his situation closely. United, under Erik ten Hag, are evaluating their options after an inconsistent season from André Onana, while City, despite having Ederson and Ortega, are known to scout elite-level talent continuously. Donnarumma's availability especially at a relatively affordable price given his contract situation makes him an attractive prospect.
The possibility of a sale this summer cannot be ruled out. If PSG sense that a renewal is unlikely or that Donnarumma is hesitant, they may choose to cash in now rather than risk losing him for free in 2026. Such a move would not only bring in transfer revenue but would also allow the club to proceed with its long-term project without lingering doubts in the goalkeeper position.
In conclusion, PSG now find themselves at a crossroads. Do they persist in trying to convince Donnarumma to stay, even as they plan for a future with someone like Chevalier? Or do they take the bold step of parting ways with a high-profile player to avoid the mistakes of the past? One thing is certain: the coming weeks will be decisive, and the resolution of this situation will offer a clear window into PSG’s new way of doing business more calculated, more proactive, and with far less tolerance for uncertainty.
Updated: 02:37, 27 Jul 2025
