My first and only option – Gianluigi Donnarumma on desire to join Man City

Gianluigi Donnarumma has revealed joining Manchester City was always his first choice after learning of manager Pep Guardiola’s interest early in the summer.

The Italy goalkeeper completed a £26million deadline-day switch to the Etihad Stadium after being frozen out by Champions League winners Paris St Germain, where he was entering the final year of his contract.

City’s move for Donnarumma gathered pace after it became clear Ederson would be moving to Fenerbahce after eight years with the club, but the player had been sounded out long before.

Speaking ahead of a likely Champions League debut for City against Napoli on Thursday, Donnarumma said: “Before the summer I knew that City were very interested in me and then the relationship strengthened after the Club World Cup and I knew the coach was pushing for my arrival here, everyone wanted me here.

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“That really spurred me on. It gave me such pride to see so such a display of affection from them.

“I didn’t hesitate to come here with great joy and great enthusiasm.

“I was very clear. My desire was to come here, that was my first and only option, the only thing I wanted.

“I thank the manager. To me it is an honour and pride to be here and have him as my coach.

“I am happy to be here at City and to be part of this fantastic team, this fantastic family, to give so much to these colours and badge. I hope to do it for many more years to come.”

Donnarumma made his City bow in Sunday’s derby victory over Manchester United and this week’s opening league-phase fixture brings him up against his boyhood club.

The 26-year-old made his name with AC Milan before moving on to PSG in 2021 but he originally hails from near Naples and the