PSG: "A huge lack of respect," Donnarumma's agent bares his claws

Tongues are loosening. Left out of the European Super Cup against Tottenham on Wednesday in Udine after contract extension talks broke down, Gianluigi Donnarumma announced on social media on Tuesday that his future lies far from Paris . It's not exactly the scoop of the year, given that... PSG have already signed his successor, Lucas Chevalier . " It's our life, that's football ," Marquinhos told the press . " We were looking for a different type of goalkeeper ," Luis Enrique explained , taking responsibility for his role to reporters. " I'm disappointed and saddened ," Donnarumma finally said in his farewell message.

A message that was intended to be particularly respectful to the supporters, the club, and his teammates, his " brothers ." A little less so to the man " who decided (that he could) no longer be part of the squad or contribute to the team's success ." In this case, it's Luis Enrique, as we understand. The Spanish coach was attracted by the prospect of having a goalkeeper who could bring more than the 26-year-old Italian to the restart, even if the latter " is one of the best in his position ." However, it shouldn't be forgotten that Paris Saint-Germain offered the former Milan player a contract. Discussions lasted for many months before reaching the impasse we know today. And Gigio Donnarumma's agent, Enzo Raiola, has given his version.

Also read: PSG: “Disappointed and saddened,” Donnarumma (already) says his goodbyes... and settles his scores

Gigio would have preferred to stay in Paris.

Enzo Raiola

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Interviewed on Sky Sport , the aforementioned Enzo Raiola believes that " PSG had made demands different from those in Gigio's standard contract. He even ended up accepting lower terms, satisfied with the situation. But at some point, in March/April, the situation changed again, and we then decided to suspend everything and talk again after the Champions League final. We then spoke again before the Club World Cup, and they confirmed that the conditions would not change. At that point, I told them that Gigio would have preferred to stay in Paris, as his contract was expiring ."

Enzo Raiola, cousin of Mino Raiola, who died in 2022 , also expressed his surprise. " We did not expect what happened in the last ten days. To have to oust Donnarumma after everything he did for the club was a huge lack of respect. We will see in the coming days, especially with my lawyers, to better understand their position ," he promised, noting that " Gigio's comments (on social media) clearly show that the boy is deeply sorry for what happened, and so are we. We did not expect this situation from PSG. These four years have been marked by respect and excellent results, but in recent days, a castle has collapsed, and they risk erasing all the good work Gigio has done in this jersey ."

Also read: PSG: “Disappointed and saddened,” Donnarumma (already) says his goodbyes... and settles his scores

Let's remember that Donnarumma joined Paris in 2021, at the end of his contract in Milan. Initially in competition with Keylor Navas , the Italian had free rein from his second season in Paris... with some bumpy performances, particularly in the Champions League knockout matches. Everything has changed in recent months, with " incredible performances " to help PSG climb to the top of Europe, according to Marqui.

Performances that clearly did not change the Parisian proposal. It should also be noted that, since 2021, PSG has adopted a new salary policy, with a variable portion linked to performance. Allowing Donnarumma to remain on the previous model would not have been sustainable vis-à-vis other Parisian players...

Asked to comment on the technical choice mentioned by Luis Enrique this Tuesday, at a press conference in Udine , Raiola has his own idea: " In fact, if we were talking about an extension, it meant that Gianluigi was part of PSG's future plans. I don't think the coach could have changed his mind in a month. That's what saddens me the most and reassures me, because at this stage, it's better not to have renewed his contract ." Indeed, it's not forbidden to think that it suits everyone... " This decision not to extend was taken during the Club World Cup. PSG also asked me not to make any official announcement," adds Enzo Raiola.

There will certainly be financial opportunities in the Premier League.

Enzo Raiola

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What's next? There's talk of strong interest from Manchester City, or even a deal between the English and Donnarumma : "We're now seeing how the market is evolving. There will certainly be financial opportunities in the Premier League that could help the club, because I heard that PSG was asking a bit too much for him (€50 million?). They talk about respect, but I realize that this respect is purely financial. We'll understand better what they have to say in the coming days, but I'll do the same with my lawyers: even in terms of image, we'll have to adopt the right positions to determine how to proceed and how to interact with the club ." Love stories usually end badly...