Chelsea ‘confident’ of signing goalkeeper who’s ‘one of the best in the world’
Chelsea have endured a mixed start to the Premier League season so far with frustrations continuing to build surrounding their lack of defensive stability.
Enzo Maresca’s side beat Liverpool 2-1 last time out in dramatic fashion, but sit seventh in the Premier League after three wins, two draws and two defeats in seven games.
Robert Sanchez has been widely criticised during this inconsistent spell, and there is now a growing expectation that he will be replaced at Stamford Bridge.
Football Insider revealed on 23 September that Chelsea are working to find a replacement for Sanchez as Maresca is unhappy with his performances this season.
As a result, Chelsea have identified three top targets to strengthen in goal ahead of the January window, and could even wait until next summer to get a deal over the line.
Chelsea confident of agreeing Mike Maignan deal
Football Insider revealed on 23 September that Chelsea are planning to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan after missing out during the summer.
The France international is out of contract next summer, leading to a spike in the interest, but Chelsea have already been working on a deal behind the scenes.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues are confident of beating any rivals to his signature.
“Chelsea have been talked about with Maignan for a long time,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve had scouts watching him a lot and they know him pretty much chapter and verse now.
“He’s somebody they identified as one of their top options to strengthen in goal, because that’s a position they want to prioritise at the moment.
“Their current options aren’t good enough and they feel they are in need of an upgrade.
“We know they tried to sign him in the summer but they couldn’t get it over the line, but they’ve already done some of the work towards bringing him in.
“They’ll have a good idea of his demands and what they can expect, and at the same time he’ll know their plans for him and where he might fit in.
“It’s a deal they’ve been working on, so if somebody like Bayern Munich is in for him now, I expect Chelsea will still be confident they can get it done.
“They’re ahead of any of the other interested clubs because of the work they’ve done already.”
Maignan rose to the top of Chelsea’s goalkeeper shortlist after Liverpool star Alisson labelled him “one of the best in the world”. [GFFN]
Bayern Munich racing Chelsea to sign Maignan next summer
Bayern Munich have also been widely tipped to sign Maignan as they plan to sign a long-term replacement for legendary shot-stopper Manuel Neuer.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 7 October that Neuer’s future will dictate whether Bayern sign Maignan and therefore whether Chelsea will face major competition.
The World Cup winner is also set to see his contract expire at the end of the season, but now looks likely to sign a one-year extension, delaying Bayern’s move for a new keeper.
Brown told Football Insider on 22 September that Chelsea have “no chance” of competing with Arsenal and Liverpool as a result of their ongoing defensive issues.
The addition of a new goalkeeper is seen as a key step towards resolving those concerns and elevating them to potential title challengers.
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