Chelsea’s Maignan Pursuit Ends As Milan Stands Firm On Keeper

Milan are planning to have Mike Maignan as part of their squad for the new season. According to sporting director Igli Tare, a deal with Chelsea is unlikely to follow later on in the summer window.

Chelsea had expressed an open interest in the French goalkeeper earlier this month only for the two clubs to remain apart of valuation. Milan know that Maignan only has 12 months left on his contract but could not be reduced to lowering their asking price, thought to be around £25mililion.

With Maignan keen on the move, Milan missing European football next season, and the impending prospect of a senior player leaving for free, Chelsea did not wish to go above closer to £13milllion. It created a mini-transfer saga in the first 10 days of the summer window being open.

Chelsea were tentatively hopeful of buying Maignan ahead of the Club World Cup but once talks collapsed, it was quickly made clear that they would not be immediately revisiting the matter when the window opened again on June 16. The internal messaging is that Chelsea remain happy with their current options.

For Enzo Maresca, who chopped and changed between Filip Jorgensen and main first-choice Robert Sanchez last season, it creates added uncertainty. Chelsea had been expected to assess Djordje Petrovic this summer after his impressive season on loan at RC Strasbourg, but he chose to stay behind at Cobham to focus on finding a new home instead of fighting for his place.

Petrovic is thought to have wanted to be the firm starting goalkeeper, something Maresca was not willing to commit to. Petrovic is now seeking potential suitors across the European market.

For Chelsea, it leaves Sanchez with the gloves, Jorgensen acting as his cover, and Mike Penders behind them both. He is set to move to Strasbourg on loan himself in order to continue developing in men’s football after a promising breakthrough at Genk.

“The keeper situation is simple, Robert is No.1, Filip is No.2, and we will analyse and judge Penders,” Maresca explained at the Club World Cup. “Maignan and different players at other clubs – I don’t think it is worth talking about them.”

Although speculation around Sanchez’s position heading into next season continues, Maignan will not be the man to replace him, it seems. “Maignan is not leaving, for now,” Tare told the Italian media this week.

“If everything continues like this, he’ll play for Milan next season too. No agreement was found with Chelsea, and he’s a key figure on and off the pitch.”

Chelsea have already spent a combined £64million on their three main goalkeeper options right now with Petrovic costing an additional £14million in 2023. It now waits to be seen if any further progress is made towards Maignan as the window goes on or if alternative options emerge.

Football.london