Maignan has long been admired by Chelsea, who have watched from afar as he emerged as one of Europe’s best keepers. Despite renewing a five-year contract with Milan, questions about his future persist amid Milan’s disappointing season and Deschamps likely prioritizing him as France’s No. 1 for the World Cup, leaving the door slightly ajar for a possible exit.
Chelsea previously bid around £15m for Maignan last summer, but Milan rejected the offer. With Maignan’s contract now winding down, Milan are reportedly seeking between £36m and £45m to greenlight a sale, meaning Chelsea could face a price more than double what they offered previously.
Beyond Maignan, Chelsea reportedly have a broader shortlist of top goalkeepers, including Robin Roefs, Bart Verbruggen, Jordan Pickford, Marco Carnesecchi, and Diogo Costa. Roma’s Mile Svilar had an offer reportedly rejected, and Chelsea may need to offload players like Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen to facilitate new arrivals. Mike Penders’ return to Stamford Bridge from a loan deal could add to the goalkeeping options, underscoring Chelsea’s diverse search for a long-term No. 1.
Key Takeaways
– Chelsea’s primary target remains Mike Maignan, though the price could rise to £36m–£45m.
– Milan would require a substantial fee to consider selling Maignan, signaling potential competition and a tough negotiation.
– Chelsea’s goalkeeper shortlist also includes several other high-profile options, with ongoing squad restructures and loans influencing the pursuit.
