who is Alessandro Longoni, the new Gianluigi Donnarumma?

Paris Saint-Germain is still enjoying its incredible end to the season, but the transfer window has already started. Crowned European champion for the second year in a row after an exceptional campaign, the Parisian club experienced several days of celebrations between Paris and Budapest before seeing its internationals join their respective selections for the World Cup. Behind the scenes, managers are now working on the outlines of the 2026-2027 squad. Among the many issues to be resolved, that of goalkeepers (still) attracts particular attention. Matvey Safonov is having a remarkable season but his future in the hierarchy is not completely set in stone. Lucas Chevalier could be led to look for playing time elsewhere while Renato Marin continues to grow in the shadow of the professional group. And now a new name is added to the equation, since PSG is very close to getting their hands on Alessandro Longoni. New proof that Paris particularly appreciates Italian talents in the goalkeeper position. After Gianluigi Donnarumma then Renato Marin, the capital club is on the verge of attracting another great transalpine hope, already closely watched in his country despite his young age.

Born in Como on January 31, 2008, Alessandro Longoni belongs to this golden generation of Italian football which has fueled the youth teams in recent seasons, winning several trophies and playing in several finals at the Euros and Youth World Cups. Trained at AC Milan since childhood, he was quickly considered one of the Rossonero training center’s greatest hopes. Standing 1m92 tall, this right-handed goalkeeper, easily compared to Gianluigi Donnarumma, completed all the stages with astonishing precocity. Italian international for under-15s, under-16s, under-17s, under-18s then under-19s, he accumulated selections while establishing himself as a reference in his age category. U17 European Champion with Italy in 2024, Longoni also participated in the remarkable third place obtained at the U17 World Cup in 2025. His career has been marked by several major performances which have contributed to increasing his rating with European recruiters. At Milan, many saw him as the future goalkeeper of the first team, following in Gigio’s footsteps. His first professional contract was signed in February 2024, proof of the confidence the club placed in him.

A strong-footed goalkeeper already a European champion

What appeals most about Longoni is not only his athletic potential but also his modern profile. The young Italian has a recovery quality that is particularly appreciated in today’s football. Very comfortable with the ball, capable of breaking lines through passing and actively participating in the build-up from his camp, he perfectly matches Luis Enrique’s requirements. In Italy, several observers have long highlighted his calm in moments of pressure and his unusual maturity for his age. Longoni has also built a solid reputation in penalty shootouts. During the U17 Euro and then during the World Cup, the young Lombard distinguished himself on several occasions thanks to decisive saves which largely contributed to the good results of the Nationale. His reflexes on his line, his relaxation and his ability to remain lucid in face-to-face situations are regularly cited among his main qualities. However, others still criticize him for a lack of authority in aerial outputs, a classic aspect for such a young goalkeeper, but his potential is unanimously recognized. To the point that several European clubs, including Manchester City and Chelsea, have tried to position themselves on his file in recent months.

If his name is at the center of the news today, it is also because his story with AC Milan ended unexpectedly. Despite the hopes placed on him, no agreement was found to extend his contract and discussions gradually led to a definitive break. A situation which has sparked much criticism in Italy, where several Italian media have pointed the finger at the management of young Milanese talents, at a time when the crisis is still deepening among the seniors after the departures of Massimiliano Allegri, Igli Tare, Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani. However, Longoni has continued to progress this season. He discovered senior football with Milan Futuro, the Lombard club’s reserve in Serie D, and took his first steps at the professional level in the spring of 2026. Despite limited playing time in the final months of the season, his reputation has never stopped growing. European recruiters continued to closely monitor his development, convinced that his lack of minutes absolutely did not reflect his real potential. His name regularly came up in discussions devoted to the best goalkeepers of the 2008 generation and many Milan supporters until recently considered that he represented one of the finest jewels of the Rossonero training center.

PSG now seems ready to take advantage of this opportunity. The project imagined for Longoni strongly resembles that implemented with Renato Marin. The Italian goalkeeper should continue his progression within the club’s development teams while gradually discovering the environment of the professional group. A strategy consistent with the policy pursued for several seasons by Luis Campos and Luis Enrique, who place increasing importance on recruiting the best European talents before their explosion at the highest level, as we have seen again this season with Quentin Ndjantou, Mathis Jangeal, David Boly, Dimitri Lucea and Pierre Mounguengue. At only 18 years old, Longoni obviously does not arrive with the label of an immediate starter. His recruitment is more in line with a medium and long term logic. But his profile is already very intriguing. In Italy, some specialists consider him one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation. His arrival would further strengthen a sector where PSG is accumulating talent and would confirm a trend that has become evident. Paris is no longer content with buying stars. Paris now wants to attract future stars before everyone else. Alessandro Longoni could well be the next name to watch very closely.