Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their efforts to snap up AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who's in action with France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Maignan, 30, is coming off a solid season, keeping 14 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions for the Rossoneri, who slipped out of UEFA Champions League contention on the last day of the Serie A season.
At the ongoing World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Maignan started Les Bleus' 3-1 campaign-opening Group D win over Senegal last week. He nearly kept a clean sheet but let in an Ibrahim Mbaye effort in the 95th minute. Nevertheless, captain Kylian Mbappe completed his brace to restore the team's two-goal lead.
As per Milan News 24, Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Jonathan Kebe, Maignan's agent, but no offer has been made yet. New Milan boss Ruben Amorim considers the French goalkeeper as a key player and might not sanction his departure, but the player's apparent willingness to explore a new challenge could prove decisive.
Maignan has been at the San Siro since arriving from Lille in the summer of 2021. In 204 appearances across competitions for the Rossoneri, he has kept 74 clean sheets, winning the 2021-22 Serie A title. A contract extension signed in January extended the Chelsea target's stay at the club till 2031.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez shares thoughts on Argentina's next opponents at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Argentina Training And Press Conference - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Source: Getty
Argentina Training And Press Conference - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Source: Getty
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez knows that the Albiceleste face a sterner challenge against Austria in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J match on Monday (June 22) at Dallas Stadium, Arlington.
The Chelsea man played a key role in the centre of the park as Lionel Scaloni's holders opened their title defence with a clinical 3-0 dismantling of Algeria last week, with captain Lionel Messi scoring all three goals.
“Austria play very direct, they leave space but they are aggressive when attacking," he said (as per Mundo Albiceleste). "I like to always touch the ball, it gives me a lot of confidence. For us, it is always important to control the ball, no matter the opponent in front of us.
“Football is becoming more even, and I feel like this World Cup is more competitive. Nowadays, there are many teams that are surprising and having a great group stage.”
Argentina will qualify for thevFIFA World Cup knockouts if they beat Austria, having won their last seven games in the competition since their triumphant Qatar 2022 campaign.