Gianluigi Donnarumma makes telling Man United admission after 'criminal' comment

Manchester City moved for Gianluigi Donnarumma at the end of the summer, signing the goalkeeper from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Italian was also linked with rivals Manchester United

Gianluigi Donnarumma was linked with both Man City and Man Utd this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Gianluigi Donnarumma claims Manchester City was his "only option" despite interest from Manchester United. The Italian goalkeeper moved to the Etihad Stadium from Paris Saint-Germain late in the summer transfer window.

City paid around £26m to sign Donnarumma, who was drafted in as Ederson’s replacement – with the Brazilian moving to Turkish side Fenerbahce. City’s rivals United were linked with a move for Donnarumma as they sought an upgrade on Andre Onana, as he eventually headed for Turkey too.

But speaking out on his move to the Premier League, Donnarumma has revealed that he only wanted to seal a switch to the Etihad. Speaking ahead of City’s Champions League clash with Napoli, he said: "I was very clear, my desire was to come here.

“That was my only option, the only thing I wanted. My only choice was to come here... so I am happy to be here at City and be part of this fantastic team.

"Before the summer I knew that City were very interested in me, the relationship strengthened after the Club World Cup.

"I knew the coach was pushing for my arrival here, everyone wanted me here, it gave me such pride to see such a demonstration of affection. I didn't hesitate to come here with great joy and enthusiasm."

Donnarumma, 26, moved to City after a hugely successful spell with French side PSG. After joining from Italian side AC Milan, he went on to win four Ligue 1 titles and helped the club to claim their first ever Champions League title.

Given the issues that United have had between the sticks this season, Red Devils icon Paul Scholes claimed it was a huge oversight that his former employers did not make a serious move. "I don't think the quality is there [in the side]," Scholes told the BBC.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has already enjoyed a bright start to life with Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

"Goalkeeper was a major issue. Did they really need to get to the Grimsby game to realise [André] Onana is not good enough?

"If Manchester United were not in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is [a] criminal offence. The recruitment side went to buy forwards. That did need addressing, but did it need three of them? I'm not sure it did."

Donnarumma has already enjoyed a positive start to life in Manchester having kept a clean sheet on his debut with a 3-0 win against United. And he will certainly be hoping to continue that against Napoli, who Donnarumma has admitted that he has an affection for.

He continued: "I am very tied to Napoli. I have so many friends and my family who live there.

"I am every excited about Thursday's match. I would be a bit more excited if it were in Napoli. My mum is having a few issues but I am hoping she is going to be on my side."

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