‘Chelsea reject AC Milan demand in Mike Maignan talks’
Chelsea aren’t willing to agree to AC Milan’s demands over signing goalkeeper Mike Maignan this summer as things stand.
The Blues are competing in the Champions League again next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League, and they are set to be busy in the transfer market this summer as a result.
Enzo Maresca has already chosen not to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal after his loan spell at the club, while the Mail have reported that the club are keen on signing West Ham star Mohammed Kudus and Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
One position that many fans and neutrals will not have expected the Blues to be interested in bolstering is in between the sticks, with numerous senior goalkeepers on their books as it stands.
Robert Sanchez was Maresca’s first-choice keeper throughout the most of last season, with Filip Jorgensen as back-up, but Chelsea have surprisingly now been linked with a move for AC Milan stopper Mike Maignan.
Chelsea suffer Mike Maignan setback after AC Milan transfer decision
Maignan joined AC Milan in 2021 from Ligue 1 side Lille, and he has been their number one goalkeeper since with 163 appearances for the club in all competitions to date.
His impressive performances in Serie A and for the French national team have seen him become one of the world’s top-rated stoppers over recent seasons, and Chelsea want to add him to their pool of keepers this summer as a result.
Despite their interest, Sky Sports have now reported that the Blues and Milan are apart on their valuation of the 29-year-old, with the San Siro club wanting £25million (€30m), but Chelsea unwilling to meet that figure.
Maignan has just one-year left on his contract in Italy and hasn’t committed to signing a new one, but Chelsea would reportedly need his asking price to come down if they are to make an official bid for his services soon.
Chelsea must find common ground with Milan to seal Maignan capture this summer
Football Insider verdict
Chelsea currently have six senior goalkeepers on their books ahead of next season, with Sanchez and Jorgensen joined by Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli.
Maresca chose to keep the former duo in his squad as his first and second-choices last term, with Petrovic, Penders and Arrizabalaga loaned out, and the latter looks set to leave permanently this summer with Napoli interested in a move [The Times].
Sanchez struggled throughout the last Chelsea campaign following a series of high-profile errors, and so it is no surprise that the Blues are interested in a keeper like Maignan, who would undoubtedly become their number one if he was to join.
| Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets | Yellow cards |
| 53 | 59 | 15 | 2 |
The 29-year-old has been a regular at the top-end of Serie A and in the Champions League for a number of years now, helping Milan to the league title in 2022, while he was named in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament for his impressive exploits with France last summer.
With that said, Chelsea will want to reach an agreement with the Italian side to sign him sooner rather than later, as Maresca looks to build a settled, reliable squad that is capable of staging a title challenge next season.