Donnarumma's agent says City verdict changes nothing for keeper

Gianluigi Donnarumma's representative Enzo Raiola says the goalkeeper has received reassurances from Manchester City and the club's guilty verdict on financial regulations will not affect his future at the Etihad.

Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent has insisted the goalkeeper's future at Manchester City is unaffected by the club's guilty verdict on financial regulations. Enzo Raiola stated his client has received direct reassurances from the club, which is appealing the independent commission's finding that it breached Premier League rules.

Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have formally lodged an appeal against the outcome. The nature of any potential sanctions remains unknown as the process continues. The verdict emerged during the recent international break, with the club's immediate focus shifting to a trip to Anfield this weekend.

Raiola's public reassurance

Raiola moved to quell any speculation about Donnarumma's position. "News comes out periodically. The club has spoken with Gigio and everyone is calm," he said. The agent was emphatic when asked if the situation would alter his client's plans. "Will the Manchester City chaos change anything? No, nothing will change for us or for Gigio."

Raiola highlighted that Donnarumma, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain last season, has already held conversations with club officials about the case. He described the immediate priority as the upcoming matches against Liverpool and PSG, stating that "sporting justice will take its course."

Squad focus on Liverpool trip

The first test since the verdict is a significant one: a visit to Liverpool on Saturday. Anfield is expected to provide a hostile atmosphere. Manager Enzo Maresca will address the media on Friday, where questions about the verdict's impact on the squad are anticipated.

Maresca is likely to lean on his leadership group, which includes Donnarumma alongside captain Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi, to maintain focus. The team travels north sitting top of the Premier League with a perfect record of five wins from five games, holding a three-point lead. Their form includes a 5-3 victory over Sunderland in their last outing, where Haaland scored his fifth goal of the campaign.

Haaland, also represented by the late Mino Raiola's network, was described by Enzo Raiola as sharing a warrior's mentality with Donnarumma. City's appeal process will run over the coming months, but the immediate sporting objective is clear. The squad reconvenes on Thursday to prepare for a match that could extend their lead at the summit, with the latest standings showing their strong early position.