Paris Saint-Germain shocked many when it announced the signing of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on a free transfer deal. However, there was a possibility that Donnarumma could have instead landed elsewhere.
As noted by the Italian-based outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Le10Sport), Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, had been in touch with several clubs early in the summer transfer window as he looked to find a suitor for his client. Raiola held talks with AS Roma over a possible free transfer deal for Donnarumma and even went as far as offering the goalkeeper to the Rome-based side.
Roma had been on the lookout for a new starting goalkeeper. In the end, talks between Roma and Raiola deescalated over time as the Serie A side opted to instead sign Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio from Wolverhampton to fill the team’s notable need at this position.
Donnarumma went on to sign with PSG on a multiyear free transfer deal. The Italian is expected to be in competition with Keylor Navas for the team’s starting goalkeeper spot this season.
