Paris Saint-Germain have finally shed light on why Gianluigi Donnarumma was pushed out of the club this summer, despite being one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
According to PSG’s strategic advisor Luis Campos, the Italian shot-stopper’s hefty salary demands and the club’s new financial policy played a decisive role in his departure.
Manchester City wasted no time seizing the opportunity, completing a Deadline Day bargain deal worth just £26 million ($35.4m) for the Euro 2020 winner.
Donnarumma himself hinted at frustration back on August 12, confirming he had been dropped from the first-team squad in favour of summer signing Lucas Chevalier. The Italy international suggested that “someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group,” while manager Luis Enrique added that he wanted “a different profile” in goal.
But Campos has now revealed it was more than just tactics. With Donnarumma entering the final 12 months of his PSG deal, contract talks broke down over his wage expectations.
“The club is more important than anyone else,” Campos told RMC Sport. “When he asks for a salary at the level of PSG before, not the current PSG… it became a combination of circumstances. Our new policy is very clear: you earn more when you deserve it, and when you play.”
The Portuguese advisor explained that PSG have shifted to a bonus-driven contract structure, rewarding performance instead of maintaining inflated base salaries.
Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola, fired back by claiming his client had already accepted a reduced wage last season, only for PSG to “change the rules of the game” after the Champions League final.
According to Raiola, the club initially confirmed their intention to continue with Donnarumma before dramatically changing course at the start of August.
Campos, however, stood firm, stressing that no player will be bigger than PSG under the new regime:
“The salary policy applies to everyone. The club’s stability will not change because of a player who wants to be different. It’s not your past that will make you a starter at PSG. That’s our policy.”
Donnarumma now begins a new chapter at Manchester City, while PSG double down on their merit-based approach in pursuit of Champions League glory.
