Gianluigi Donnarumma has revealed the reality of his summer transfer choices after joining Man City amid reported interest from Manchester United.
Manchester United brought their 2025 summer transfer activity to a close with the £18 million arrival of Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest young goalkeepers.
The club’s total spending sits around £215 million, with performance-related bonuses potentially pushing the figure beyond £240 million.
In addition to Lammens, United strengthened their attack by signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško, while 18-year-old left-back Diego Leon joined earlier in July.
On the departures side, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Antony were among those to leave, with Alejandro Garnacho’s £40 million switch to Chelsea the standout exit.
Donnarumma reveals United transfer truth
Before Lammens became United’s first-choice goalkeeper transfer, the club were closely linked to then-Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who eventually signed for rivals Manchester City for around £26 million.
Following Donnarumma’s debut for City against United in a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s men, the Italian has issued the reality of his summer transfer window, stating that City were his only option, and the only club he wanted to join.
“I was very clear, my desire was to come here,” the 26-year-old said, via BBC Sport. 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.”
United opted for future over experience
Ultimately, while Donnarumma decided to join City over United, the Reds generally opted to sign a younger goalkeeper they could look to grow in the future.
On deadline day, United were pursuing both Lammens and Aston Villa’s Emi Martínez, but went to sign the former as they felt Lammens was a 23-year-old they could grow into a long-term shot-stopper at Old Trafford.
If they had gone to sign Martínez, or to a certain extent Donnarumma, they may have been looking to sign a new goalkeeper for the third time in the last few seasons, but with Lammens, the ideal scenario becomes that the club are able to feel safe with their No. 1 for a long time.
At £18.2 million and a player who made more saves last season than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top ten leagues, United could have secured themselves a bargain.
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