‘Djordje Petrovic ready to agree to Chelsea and AC Milan swap for Mike Maignan’
Chelsea could still complete a deal for AC Milan goalkeeper Mika Maignan this summer following a new update on Djordje Petrovic.
This has already been a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge, with Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Paez and Estevao all completing moves to the club.
However, there is likely to be more business done by Enzo Maresca‘s side when the window reopens again on 16 June, where the goalkeeping position could be under scrutiny in the wake of the initial period.
While they are not short on options between the posts, Chelsea have been in talks over the signing of Maignan from AC Milan this summer, although they have as yet been unable to make a breakthrough on the fee.
Mike Maignan deal could be resurrected with player swap
According to recent updates, the Blues’ attempts to sign the France international had collapsed after they refused to meet the Italian side’s £20million asking price [Daily Mail].
Meanwhile, some Chelsea fans had called for Petrovic to be their number one goalkeeper next season, following an impressive loan spell in France with Strasbourg during the 2024/25 campaign.
Now though, a new update from The Sun has stated that the 25-year-old had been identified as someone who could be used by the Premier League club as a makeweight in a deal for Maignan.
Crucially, it is reported that the Serbian international would himself be “interested” in the chance to move to Milan this summer, should the opportunity arise.
As a result, a deal to bring Maignan to Stamford Bridge before the start of next season may not be completely out of the question just yet.
Amid that update, it has been reported that Petrovic has been left out of the Chelsea squad for the Club World Cup over the next few weeks, which has not gone down well with the club’s supporters.
Chelsea goalkeeper deal could make sense
Football Insider Verdict
With the likes of Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, new man Mike Penders, and Petrovic all on the books, it is not as if Maresca is short on goalkeeping options at the minute, even as Marcus Bettinelli joins Man city and Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set for Arsenal.
So if they are to bring Maignan in this summer, sending someone such as Petrovic in the opposite direction would be sensible to ensure they are not overloaded in that position.
It could also help Milan agree to a lower fee, since they would not have to go out and sign a replacement for Maignan, given Petrovic is already proven at the top level.
Since it looks like he would struggle to get a place in the side if he stays at Stamford Bridge, it is also understandable that the Serbian would be keen on this move.
A switch to Milan would give him the opportunity to finally establish himself as a number one goalkeeper at a club where he has a chance to play at a top level and potentially challenge for silverware.
So if Chelsea really do want to sign Maignan this summer, an agreement such as this looks to be worth pitching to all concerned.