Chelsea look set to make room for Mike Maignan in their squad this week after deciding to allow one of their goalkeepers a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Football.london understands that Maignan has been on the club's radar for several years, and just last week, Chelsea contacted him regarding a move to Stamford Bridge. His current team, AC Milan, are without Champions League football next season, and the Blues will hope that the 29-year-old will be enticed by moving to a club that is competing at Europe's top table.
It is thought that Milan would require £25m to allow the Frenchman to join Chelsea this summer. However, they do not hold all the cards in negotiations, considering that Maignan's contract expires in 12 months.
Currently, the Blues have a surplus of goalkeepers on their books ahead of next season. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic are both thought to be considered as potential makeweights in a deal for Maignan.
However, it appears that one goalkeeper is on his way out of the club this summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, shot stopper Marcus Bettinelli is on the verge of moving to City to be their new third choice goalkeeper.
Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli
Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli (Image: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola's side announced on Monday that veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson would be leaving the Etihad Stadium after six years on the books. Despite only making a handful of appearances for the club, Carson has become a cult figure at City among their fans.
Bettinelli now appears set to fill those gloves and allow some wiggle room for Chelsea to look at bringing in Maignan. Admittedly, this is just the first step for Enzo Maresca before he gets his hands on his dream shot stopper.
The Blues will likely need to sell at least one more goalkeeper before a move for Maignan becomes viable. But Bettinelli's exit frees a little more budget for Maresca.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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