Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper (contract until 2026), is at the heart of rumors. His departure is now confirmed, as Lucas Chevalier (23, French national team) has arrived from Lille to replace him. We are still waiting to find out the destination. Le Parisien claims that a disagreement over a new contract precipitated the split with Luis Enrique, despite the coach’s initial desire to keep him. The episode comes amid a tense internal situation.
Inside the split between PSG and Donnarumma:
“He was offered a new contract, once again making him one of the best-paid goalkeepers in the world, but he wanted more. Luis Enrique then said: ‘Alright, let’s move on,’” revealed a source close to the matter. Luis Enrique was prepared to continue with the Italian. The key point in this case is salary. He never considers anyone in his squad indispensable if they are not fully committed.
Another factor to weigh: the backlash Luis Enrique faced at the end of 2024, as Donnarumma was part of the small group of “offenders” alongside Kimpembe. Both are now set to leave. “There is a strong emotional charge surrounding this issue. But we have a clear conscience and we respect Gianluigi. His entourage shared their version of events, but only part of the story was told, not the full picture,” said an insider, quoted by Le Parisien.
The Donnarumma case illustrates the profound shift underway at Paris Saint-Germain: gone are the days when the club would bow to every salary demand from its stars. Under Luis Enrique and the sporting management, PSG now wants to build a united squad, fully invested in the project, free from the tensions of contract negotiations. The message is clear: the institution comes before the individual.
Players who demand more than the club considers reasonable, or who allow themselves to be distracted by outside factors, will be shown the door—regardless of their status or talent.
By parting ways with figures like Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG is sending a strong message: the era when some could benefit from Qatari generosity without full commitment is over. The goal is twofold: to streamline the wage bill and to shape a dressing room aligned with the same ambition—winning together.
