Manchester United have moved away from signing household names in recent transfer windows.

Gone are the days where the likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrive at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim instead signing talents of real potential, such as Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and Benjamin Sesko.

There is – however – one bona fide superstar wanted by Manchester United this summer in Gianluigi Donnarumma as a fascinating market opportunity emerges, a player who was backed to become a great by the aforementioned duo.

What Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba said about Gianluigi Donnarumma

Ibrahimovic – who made 42 appearances alongside Donnarumma at AC Milan – called the Manchester United target the “best in the world” when speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport back in June 2021.

The Swede said: “He grew up at AC Milan, he could have been the team’s goalkeeper for twenty years… he’s the best in the world. He could have become Mr Milan, like Paolo Maldini. “Whether (Donnarumma) leaves or not, I don’t know. It takes two to tango. I’d tell him to stay at AC Milan until the end.”

These comments spoke volumes, considering the Italian was just 22 years of age at the time.

Donnarumma ultimately opted against signing a new deal with AC Milan and joined PSG on a free transfer in June 2021.

In 2017, four years prior to these comments, Pogba predicted such a rise.

The Frenchman posted on X (previously known as Twitter): “Donnarumma soon best in the (world). Deserves only respect for all he’s done until now.”

View Tweet

Donnarumma is now a nominee for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after helping PSG win a Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League treble last season, so Pogba was spot on.

The situation involving Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manchester United

TBR Football understand a deal is there to be done for Manchester United to sign Donnarumma after PSG took Lucas Chevalier from Lille as a replacement.

Despite the Italy international being widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe – if not the best – PSG have been unable to agree a new contract, with his current terms expiring in June 2026.

The Parisians do not want to lose the Italian on a free transfer, so a sale looks highly likely this summer with Manchester United interested in the opportunity.

Should a move to Old Trafford materialise for Donnarumma – who will not face Tottenham on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup – Manchester United fans should be very excited based on what Pogba and Ibrahimovic said about the man from Castellammare di Stabia.