Chelsea came close to signing Mike Maignan last summer and remain in the picture to sign him.
The Blues made a significant offer to land the Frenchman and this was covered extensively by Sport Witness. The player was keen on the deal until Max Allegri joined AC Milan as manager.
Along with him came goalkeeping coach Claudio Filippi, who convinced Maignan to stay. The keeper also soon signed a new deal which now runs out in the summer of 2031.
Now, things have changed. Allegri and Filippi have left, with Milan having missed on Champions League qualification.
Chelsea are back in the picture for a summer deal.
Player can seek transfer
Calciomercato report Maignan’s future could be uncertain once again. While he is currently focused on the World Cup, his club situation is at the back of his mind.
It is reported that the 30-year-old is immensely disappointed with how the 2025/26 campaign unfolded. He is also not happy with the departures of Allegri and Filippi.
He can now actively ask for a transfer. Milan themselves can consider his exit. He earns a hefty salary and his deal runs out in 2031. This can prove to be a major capital gain for the Rossoneri, with Chelsea mentioned as a suitor.
It is specified that Allegri was key to keeping the France international last summer. There might not be anyone to convince Maignan this time.
Corriere dello Sport carry a similar report. They raise concerns that Maignan isn’t happy with Milan’s direction.
They confirm Chelsea’s interest but there is no concrete sign about whether a formal move will be made. Bayern Munich are also interested but it remains to be seen if they make an offer or not.
Our take: Deal will have risks
While largely reliable, Maignan does have an error in him. That was evident mainly in the 2024/25 campaign, when he came in for criticism. Another problem is his fitness, as Maignan has missed many games due to muscle injuries.
At 30, there is a chance those injuries increase. Unlike last summer, he could cost a significant amount to Chelsea and he also commands a high salary at the San Siro.
Those are possible red flags, if the Blues push to sign Maignan. That is also why they can instead opt for a younger profile and sort out their goalkeeping problems.