Chelsea are ready to bid for an 'elite' Man United target who pushed to join them last summer, according to reports.
The Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge has barely begun, but the transfer machine is already whirring.
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Since his appointment on May 17, Chelsea's summer shortlist has expanded by the day.
Enzo Fernández's future remains unresolved, with Real Madrid and Man City lurking.
Marc Cucurella is expected to leave Chelsea too, with Lewis Hall identified as a potential replacement (Simon Phillips).
Levi Colwill is apparently fending off interest from both Real and Barcelona, while the striker search is in full swing, with Brian Brobbey, Igor Thiago, Victor Osimhen and Ollie Watkins all discussed internally.
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Arne Slot has won the race.
Jarrod Bowen has also emerged as a rotation option given his desire to stay in London if he does move elsewhere, with West Ham's relegation confirmed.
Now, the goalkeeper position has come back into focus, and a familiar target is at the centre of it.
Chelsea ready to bid for AC Milan star Mike Maignan
According to Calciomercato, Chelsea are ready to table an offer for AC Milan captain Mike Maignan.
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The 30-year-old France international has been one of the outstanding goalkeepers in European football over the past five years, but his future at the San Siro has been thrown into doubt after Milan's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League.
A defeat to Cagliari on the final day condemned Milan to the Europa League, and the Italian outlet reports that Maignan could follow the sacked Max Allegri out the door.
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It would represent a dramatic reversal.
Maignan signed a contract extension in January, tying him to Milan until 2031 and appearing to end months of speculation over his future.
But the absence of Champions League football changes the equation entirely, and Calciomercato report that the club may need to sell to balance the books without the revenue that Europe's top competition provides.
Chelsea are not the only club circling.
Man-United-Michael-Carrick
Bayern Munich and Man United have also been credited with interest, but the Blues hold one significant advantage over their rivals: history.
Last summer, Chelsea came closer than anyone to signing Maignan.
Fabrizio Romano reported at the time that the goalkeeper was "very keen" to join the club and pushed to make it happen, with talks held between the two clubs before negotiations collapsed over Milan's asking price.
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Chelsea considered the fee too high given Maignan's age and contract situation at the time, and the deal fell through. Robert Sanchez remained as first choice, Djordje Petrovic was eventually sold to Bournemouth, and the goalkeeper question was left unresolved.
12 months on, the landscape has shifted.
Maignan's new deal strengthens Milan's hand considerably — any club wanting him now would need to negotiate against a contract running five more years.
However, Chelsea's willingness to return, combined with Maignan's reported enthusiasm for the Premier League, suggests there is a genuine foundation to build on.
The Frenchman's numbers this season underline his quality.
AC Milan's Mike Maignan reacts
AC Milan's Mike Maignan reacts
37 Serie A appearances, 14 clean sheets, and a high save percentage — all while captaining a side that underperformed around him.
He has earned 38 caps for France and was the first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2024, cementing his status as one of the top two or three in his position on the continent.
For Chelsea, the logic is straightforward.
Alonso needs a goalkeeper he can trust for the long term, and Maignan — 'elite', experienced, and motivated by a desire to compete at the highest level — fits that brief precisely.
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It would apparently be a bold one.