Fresh transfer speculation is now linking Chelsea with a potential move to sign a high-profile goalkeeper.
Most fans would agree that there are a few areas of the Chelsea squad that need upgrading, including the goalkeeper position. It tells its own story that Blues manager Enzo Maresca has rotated between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen this season.
Even though Sanchez has regained Chelsea’s starting position for the rest of the season in the Premier League, he’s not someone we think can last as the long-term first-choice keeper.
Blues supporters may be encouraged about the latest name to pop up as a target in the transfer rumour mill.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Chelsea now looking at AC Milan star Mike Maignan
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea and Aston Villa are ‘strongly considering moves’ for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Apparently, the Blues have been scouting the 29-year-old gloveman for over a year. In fact, they’ve been in ‘constant contact’ with his representatives about potentially joining them.
The report explains that the Milan captain is in talks with the Italian giants about a contract extension, but there’s been in a delay in talks over his inconsistent form this season.
TEAMtalk states that Maignan was valued at around €80m (£67m) last summer. If he doesn’t sign a new deal at the San Siro, he could be available for suitors such as Chelsea and Villa to sign for around €40m (£33m) in the summer.
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Even if Maignan’s form has dipped a tad this campaign, we still think it would be a bargain to sign him for just over £30m. He starts for the France national side, plus he’s been one of the world’s elite goalkeepers in recent years.
Appearances Clean sheets Save percentage Pass accuracy Saved penalties Error led to goal Average rating
31 10 70.5% 84.0% 1/2 2 6.90
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan in Serie A during the 2024/25 season via FOTMOB
The reality is that the Milan shot-stopper would be a major upgrade on anything on Chelsea’s books right now.
Chelsea considered signing Maignan in 2024, but he’s been with Milan since he joined them from Lille in 2021. If he did come to the Premier League for the first time in his career, we’re confident he could be a huge success in English football.
He could be a great stop-gap for a few years while Blues loanee Mike Penders, 19, continues his development. Chelsea see ‘elite potential’ in goalkeeper Penders, but it may be too soon to throw him into the starting XI.
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images
What Olivier Giroud said about Mike Maignan in 2023
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, 38, has shared a dressing room with Maignan across both Milan and the French national team.
Back in May 2023, Giroud delivered a glowing verdict on the goalkeeper. He told CBS Sport: “Mike is definitely one of the best goalkeepers I’ve ever played with, he will still improve, he’s basically magic Mike. It is very good news for the French national team also, Hugo Lloris is also very good, but Mike is unbelievable.”
Giroud’s played with and against the world’s best goalkeepers across a long career, so Chelsea fans should take note of how highly he rates Maignan.