It was amid a standoff in contract extension talks that Gianluigi Donnarumma (27) left Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2025. Just weeks earlier, the Italian had finally silenced the critics and played a starring role in guiding his side to the UEFA Champions League trophy.

PSG had anticipated potential difficulties and were ready to execute their plan. Unable to negotiate a new contract with Italy’s No.1, they moved for Lille OSC’s Lucas Chevalier, the next big thing in French goalkeeping. He joined in a deal worth €40m. The move to the Parc des Princes has yet to work out for Chevalier, who is now behind Matvey Safonov in the pecking order.

Speaking ahead of a reunion with Donnarumma when PSG face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, Luis Enrique revisited the departure of his former goalkeeper. “I really like Gigio. I was very lucky to konow him and for me, it was very hard to decide what we decided. I am happy to see that he is at the same level (at Manchester City) as he was at Paris. He is a marvellous person,” said the Asturian in Tuesday’s press conference.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle