Reaction to all the big deals on transfer deadline day
Manchester City sign goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain after selling Ederson to Fenerbahce.
Premier League clubs' spending in summer transfer window passes £3bn for first time
Liverpool complete signing of striker Alexander Isak for British record £125m fee after move for Palace defender Marc Guehi falls through
Newcastle sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford for £55m I Debate on player power I Watch: Hart v Sutton
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Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
So, if Chris Sutton and Joe Hart agree that Gianluigi Donnarumma is a world-class talent who belongs in a team of Manchester City's stature and aspirations, then why were Paris St-Germain happy to let him go for £26m?
As we have been finding out this morning, football is a game of opinions and emotions, where everything isn't always as it seems...
Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Do I think Gianluigi Donnarumma is a better goalkeeper than James Trafford? Absolutely.
[They say] Donnarumma can't use his own feet? I'm afraid he can use his feet and he has used his feet.
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
Well Rich, I certainly agree with you on James Trafford's time at Bolton. He and Conor Bradley were both brilliant on loan in the year they won the EFL Trophy there.
But, while Manchester City do not need me to defend their record on promoting young British players, I am just putting it out there that there are quite a few currently enjoying game time in the first team or have gone on to achieve bigger and better things after spending time in their academy.
Maybe one for City fans to come back on using the Get Involved icon?
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Gutted for James Trafford. Truly gutted. We had him at Bolton. If we'd have kept him, we'd have got into the Championship, he's that good. Absolutely criminal how City seemingly DO NOTHING for young British players...NOTHING.
Rich
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesGianluigi Donnarumma is one of Europe’s top goalkeepers and will now bring his talents to Manchester City.
The 26-year-old began his senior career at AC Milan, making his debut at just 16 and quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper.
After seven seasons in Italy, he joined Paris St-Germain in 2021, winning four consecutive Ligue 1 titles, amongst other domestic honours.
Internationally, Donnarumma has been Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2016 and was a standout at Euro 2020, where he was named player of the tournament after helping Italy beat England on penalties in the final to lift the trophy.
Last season, the Italian goalkeeper played a pivotal role in PSG's maiden Champions League triumph, putting in huge performances to help see off Premier League sides Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal along the way.
Known for his reflexes, composure and towering shot-stopping ability, he now looks set to succeed Ederson as number one at Etihad Stadium.
Joe Hart
Former England and Man City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club
With James Trafford, I think Pep Guardiola is in such a zone right now where maybe he thought he would just keep winning the Premier League and win again last year and move out.
But he is ruthless now and he wants someone in there who he knows is world class.
Trafford has potential. I think they will nurse that and respect that.
He might not get what he wanted out of this season, but will still have a Man City career, for sure.
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
Not sure this has anything to do with a goalkeeper's nationality David, and Manchester City showed their faith in James Trafford by bringing him back to the club from Burnley.
It is unlikely this move will have been made without Pep Guardiola's approval.
But any club with Premier League and Champions League ambitions will go for the best players available on the market.
Take it from someone who has experience of this ruthless approach, over to you Joe Hart...
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Funny because I thought City were announcing Trafford's retirement. Poor kid thought he was getting the big gig but Pep's love of English keepers shows again.
David
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on Transfer Deadline Day Summer 2025
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club before the Donnarumma move was confirmed:If Gianluigi Donnarumma goes in, he is number one. Why go in for him?
If Donnarumma comes in he has the pedigree and understanding of what it takes to play for a big team.
He doesn't go in there without thinking he is number one. From James Trafford's point of view, I would be bitterly disappointed.
Yes, you can learn from a great goalkeeper, but there is an element I could have been playing for Burnley in the Premier League.
He probably looked at it and thought there's an opportunity to go win trophies.
I think Trafford will be disappointed.
Image source, Getty ImagesWith today's business, that leaves four goalkeepers at Manchester City to fight over one staring place:
Who would you pick as number one? Stephen Warnock and Joe Hart are under no doubt...
Monday Night Club dicuss Gianluigi Donnarumma
One debate that has been raging since news of this story broke is whether Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been criticised for his distribution, fits Pep Guardiola's blueprint for a ball-playing goalkeeper.
But former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says the Italy international "is more than capable with his feet".
"I have watched him play under pressure and I have watched him play all the way through from 16-years-old," said Hart on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"There was a boy there who could hold his nerve for AC Milan and then he went to Paris St-Germain and helped them win trophies.
"I am a big James Trafford fan too, but why would you not sign someone like Donnarumma who can win you games?
"He is absolutely humongous and makes top saves at the top level.
"Pep Guardiola is ruthless now, he wants someone who he knows is world class.
"Trafford has potential, and I think they will nurse that, but he might not get what he wanted out of this season. I still think he can have a Manchester City career, for sure.
"I watched PSG last year and I didn't think that they had to play long because Donnarumma was in goal. They played through the system without a problem and they hardly got caught out by anyone."
The Observer's Rory Smith added: "Donnarumma's like having a bear in goal - why would you not want to have a bear in goal?"
Hugo Viana, Manchester City's director of football, on the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma: “Gianluigi’s pedigree, quality and record speaks for itself, and we are all absolutely thrilled he has joined us here at City.
“He has accumulated a wealth of top-level experience and knows what is required to achieve success on a sustained level.
“From a remarkably young age, he has played at the very top level. That is unusual for a goalkeeper and it means he arrives here as one of the best in the world in his position.
"There is no doubt Gianluigi will bring further quality and depth to our top-class goalkeeping department.
“Everyone here is very excited to welcome Gianluigi to Manchester City and we wish him all the very best during his time here with us.”
Manchester City have confirmed that new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will wear the number 99 shirt for the club.
With fellow new shot-stopper James Trafford taking the number one, Donnarumma has opted to take the number he wore where his career began, at AC Milan.
The '99' represents his birth year of 1999.
Gianluigi Donnarumma speaking to Manchester City's club website:
“To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me.
“I am joining a squad packed with world-class talent and a team led by the one of the greatest managers in the history of football in Pep Guardiola. This is a club every player in world football would love to join.
“I have admired watching Manchester City for many years - so to now be able to play for the club is a huge honour and a privilege. I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates, the staff and the fans. Playing at the Etihad Stadium will be very, very special for me.
“I am very excited for what lies ahead and can promise that I will give absolutely everything to try and help the club achieve even more success.”
Image source, Getty ImagesYes, you guessed it, Manchester City have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain.
The Italy international has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030.
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
And here's another deal we prepared earlier...whatever could Manchester City be teasing here, external?
Image source, Getty ImagesMatt O’Riley has completed a season-long loan move to Ligue 1 side Marseille, subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
The Denmark international will link up with former Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who guided Marseille to a second-place finish last season.
The 24-year-old joined Albion from Celtic in August 2024 and has since made 25 appearances, scoring three goals.
The midfielder began his career at Fulham before moving to MK Dons, prior to his spell in Scotland.
Brighton's head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: "Matt has the opportunity to challenge himself at the highest level in France and in the Champions League.
"We have a lot of competition in the midfield positions, and while we see Matt's long-term future here with us, this gives him the potential of more game time.
"We will monitor his progress throughout the season with Marseille, and we wish him well for the rest of the season."
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
This debate will run and run, but while we have been talking another player has left the Premier League so it will have to wait...
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Regarding Joe Hart's comments - unfortunately, contracts are not bilateral. Employers pay employees to do work. Employers can decide to ask employees to do other tasks. Employees can’t just decide which tasks to do. I appreciate it’s not fair and clubs treat people badly, but it doesn’t excuse ‘downing tools’.
Dan
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Joe Hart is 100% right; clubs and managers often have no regard for players' careers, disrespecting them publicly and relegating them to the reserves. Guehi had the option to leave in the summer; the other two did not. It was now or never for their "dream" moves.
Patrick
Have to agree with Joe Hart. Why is it okay for Amorim to force his players to 'go and find a new club' and be excluded from team training when it suits him, but if a player chooses to leave mid-contract, that's not acceptable?
Dawn
