Soccer Football - Coppa Italia - Semi Final - First Leg - AC Milan v Inter Milan - San Siro, Milan, Italy - April 2, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan reacts REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan to sign goalkeeper Mike Maignan but are so far put off by the Italian club’s asking price. The France No.1 has just one year remaining on his contract and is believed to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
These factors have now encouraged Chelsea to make a move for the shot stopper and would usually lead to a cut price fee, however ESPN reports that Milan have demanded as much as €30 million. Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but Chelsea is understood to be willing to walk away from the deal.
While Chelsea are interested in signing a keeper, it is not a position they are prioritizing this summer as the Blues already have five senior goalkeepers in their ranks. All have failed to impress for the most part however with Robert Sanchez in particular coming under increased pressure after a string of high-profile errors.
Filip Jorgensen joined Chelsea just last summer in a €24.5m from Villarreal, as did Genk keeper Mike Penders who remained with Genk for the 2024-25 season but will join Chelsea this summer. Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga were both loaned out last season, to French club Strasbourg and fellow Premier League side Bournemouth respectively.
Departures to one if not a few of them are expected and Maignan would represent a clear improvement in that position.
Chelsea keen on Maignan
Maignan has been Milan’s undisputed No.1 since joining from Lille in 2021. Affectionately named “Magic Mike” by teammates and pundits alike, he has formed a reputation for his exceptional reflexes and shot stopping abilities.
He’s had to bide his time in the French setup though, sitting behind Hugo Lloris for the better part of 3 years. When Lloris retired from international football in January of 2023, Maignan made the spot his own. He was in goal for France in the 2024 Euro’s which they finished as semi-finalists and is expected to be in between the sticks at next year’s World Cup.
He’s played Champions League football in each of his four seasons with Milan, but would miss out on European football all together next season should be stay with the Serie A club. Milan finished 8th in Serie after a frustrating campaign.
Chelsea secured their place in the Champions League for next season having finished 4th in the Premier League and will also be buoyed by a trophy following their Europe Conference League success.
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