Manchester City to stand firm on salary structure during Gianluigi Donnarumma pursuit | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma will not be disrupting Manchester City’s existing hierarchical salary structure within the first-team set-up, a new report has insisted.

Despite widespread acknowledgement of Donnarumma’s quality and stature as one of Europe’s leading goalkeepers, City’s approach to recruitment is also shaped by a carefully managed wage model.

The Etihad Stadium club are cautious about setting precedents that could cause tension within the squad, particularly given the influence of senior stars like Erling Haaland and in the case of former senior stars, Kevin De Bruyne.

With Manchester City already considering long-term change in their goalkeeping department amid Ederson’s uncertain future heading into the final hours of the summer market, Donnarumma’s name has remained at the centre of discussions.

However, while his availability on the transfer market has attracted attention, financial expectations remain a sticking point, with Manchester City unwilling to jeopardise internal balance.

This summer has already seen a number of top European clubs reshuffle their goalkeeping options, with Paris Saint-Germain facing pressure to find a solution for Donnarumma. The Italian international remains under contract at the Parc des Princes but is one of the club’s highest earners, creating difficulties for potential suitors.

According to the information of The Mirror’s Simon Mullock, Paris Saint-Germain are faced with having to subsidise Gianluigi Donnarumma’s £500,000-a-week wages, with City not prepared to make the Italian their second-highest earner behind Erling Haaland.

It is detailed that PSG officials have been touting Donnarumma to Premier League clubs all summer, with Chelsea also named as a possible destination while Manchester United decided the financial package was too expensive after being quoted a £50 million valuation.

For Manchester City, a move for Donnarumma could still materialise if PSG are willing to negotiate a structured package, but the Etihad side’s reluctance to inflate their pay scale is unlikely to change.

The Premier League giants have built their success on both financial strength and squad harmony, meaning internal policy will not be compromised even for a marquee arrival.

Attention will now shift back to Ederson’s future, and should the Brazilian complete an expected exit to Turkey, City will need to act swiftly to secure a replacement before the transfer deadline.

Donnarumma is regarded as a ready-made world-class option, but the financial framework will need careful handling. Should a deal not materialise, there will be faith placed onto the shoulders of James Trafford.

Speculation is expected to persist until the closing days of the market, with PSG keen to resolve Donnarumma’s future and Manchester City weighing their options in a summer where multiple areas of Pep Guardiola’s squad remain under review as officials look to trim numbers.