Gianluigi Donnarumma (26) has been left out of the Parisian squad for the European Super Cup. Chelsea and Manchester United, already on the lookout, are dreaming of luring him to the Premier League. But beyond the simple transfer, this breakup illustrates a chronic weakness of Paris Saint-Germain: the difficulty in cleanly parting ways with its major figures. Long attracted by the Premier League, the Italian goalkeeper could leave Paris this summer or next summer. The scene has become familiar at Paris Saint-Germain: a key player sidelined, an inevitable departure, and carefully crafted communication that does little to mask the tensions. Gianluigi Donnarumma is living his last hours in Paris, in a breakup that is reminiscent of many others at the Parc.
An announced departure, an accepted break
Luis Enrique made no secret of it: Lucas Chevalier is now his number one. By leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma out of the European Super Cup against Tottenham, the Spanish coach sent a clear message. The Italian, despite being the 2021 European champion and recruited as the goalkeeper of the future, is no longer part of the sporting project.
A brutal but lucid sidelining, which opens the door to a quick departure. Chelsea and Manchester United are standing by, aware that the player is attracted by the idea of discovering the Premier League.
The Parisian syndrome of failed farewells
At PSG, history repeats itself. Cavani, Thiago Silva, Neymar, Verratti, Navas, Mbappé… all have experienced rocky endings, often marked more by awkwardness and bitterness than by sincere tribute. The club, too often torn between sentimental attachment and sporting realities, has gotten into the habit of prolonging stories beyond reason.
With Donnarumma, the axe is falling faster, but the shadow of this past still weighs heavily on how the departure will be handled. He joins this list, proof that Paris still struggles to combine sporting recognition with effective management.
Complicated management between high salaries and XXL demands
The problem is not just emotional. Paris has often found itself stuck with oversized contracts. Players on XXL salaries, unwilling to accept a pay cut to move elsewhere, have slowed down the renewal of the squad.
Added to this are the contractual demands of certain senior players, who are willing to negotiate until the last second to obtain an extension on the best possible terms. In this context, selling a player at the right time becomes a delicate, if not impossible, task.
PSG’s biggest failed transfers in recent years.
Edinson Cavani (2020): the club’s all-time leading scorer at the time of his departure, left without a farewell match.
Thiago Silva (2020): iconic captain, unceremoniously ousted, left to lift the Champions League with Chelsea.
Neymar (2023): sold to Saudi Arabia, ending his career without fanfare.
Marco Verratti (2023): eleven years at the club, almost clandestine departure to Qatar.
Keylor Navas (2024): relegated to the bench, contract expires amid indifference.
Kylian Mbappé (2024): endless saga, free transfer to Real Madrid.
