Real Reason for Man Utd’s Abandoned Move for Gianluigi Donnarumma Revealed

The truth behind Manchester United's pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma has been revealed.

After nearly three months of drama, the transfer window officially shut on September 1, marking the end of a summer that saw several of the biggest clubs in the Premier League secure statement signings.

Premier League champions Liverpool brought in the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Arsenal signed Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres while United reinvigorated their attacking lineup with a wave of new signings.

And, it wasn't just new attackers that joined made moves in the summer, with United one of the several clubs also to sign a new goalkeeper during the window, bringing in Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens.

Once it became clear that former keeper Andre Onana would not be staying at the club, many had thought that United would make an effort to sing Donnarumma, and it's now been revealed exactly why a deal never materialised.

Image: Getty

In one of the most shocking developments of the summer, Donnarumma released a lengthy statement confirming that he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain, despite his wishes to stay.

Immediately, the star keeper was linked with a move to Old Trafford, but a new report from The Telegraph has revealed that it quickly became clear that a deal was not financially possible for the Red Devils.

It states that United were told that they would need to pay a £35million transfer fee and offer annual wages of £17.4 million, around to £330,000 a week, to bring Donnarumma to the club.

Assuming he would have singed a a five or six-year contract, this would have taken the total costs to a figure would have between £120-140m.

Instead, the Italian international joined United's local rivals Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola's side paying £26m for Donnarumma, who has joined on a five-year deal with the option of a further year.

Manchester United were also linked with Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez. (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It is reported that United also considered the option of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, but the reported £30m fee and £10m of annual wages again proved to be too steep.

Therefore, the club opted for 23-year-old Lammens who, despite not yet starting a match for his new club, is said to be considered their long-term number one.

The Belgian keeper signed for United on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £18.2m, including add-ons.