AC Milan captain Mike Maignan is still yet to sign a contract extension at the San Siro, giving Chelsea or Man United a chance to sign him for free in 2026.
The France number one is classed as one of the world’s best shot-stoppers, and his availability on a free transfer next year is putting Premier League clubs on red alert.
Chelsea have long been after Maignan and attempted to agree a cut-price deal in the summer window.
Enzo Maresca also personally asked Chelsea’s hierarchy to sign a world-class new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez (Graeme Bailey), with the Blues previously sensing an opportunity to go for Maignan to grant their manager’s wish.
Appearances
168
Bookings
8
Red Cards
1
Goals conceded
172
Clean sheets
63
Minutes played
14,963
via Transfermarkt
However, a major difference in pricing saw Milan refuse to sanction his move to Stamford Bridge, despite the 30-year-old’s eagerness to join them. Chelsea wanted him before their Club World Cup campaign, but snubbed the Rossoneri’s attempts to demand an extortionate fee because of that.
A deal for Maignan ultimately wasn’t revisited before deadline day on September 1, with Max Allegri since captaining the shot-stopper as Milan potentially give him something to think about.
They’re just three points behind Serie A leaders and Italian champions Napoli after three consecutive wins, and if Milan continue in this fashion, who knows, Maignan could be tempted to pen an extension.
In the meantime, though, he is set to leave for free at the end of the season, and reports suggest that Chelsea are ready to offer Maignan a pre-contract in January to end their reliance on Sanchez, who was sent off against Man United last weekend.
Mike Maignan decides whether he wants to join Chelsea or Man United
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are also after a reliable keeper, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Maignan wants to join Chelsea next year as things stand.
“As a club, they have decided a new number one is needed in 2026 – no surprise, and it appears that they aim to have the new player competing with Senne Lammens long-term,” Bailey told United in Focus.
“In terms of who they are looking at, I can confirm as a club they do like Mike Maignan – but he is someway down the road with Chelsea. They tried to sign him in the summer, but Max Allegri did not want to lose him; now his talks over a new deal are not going well.
“I am told that as it stands, he wants to join Chelsea and is likely to be how that one maps out, but United are giving themselves the chance to assess the situation.”
This comes as an almighty boost for the west Londoners, as Maignan is an arguably unmissable opportunity.
Why Chelsea need to sign Mike Maignan
All Premier League title-winning sides have one thing in common — the presence of a truly commanding star between the sticks.
Chelsea acknowledge that Sanchez has displayed improvements lately, but the jury is out on whether he can still be Maresca’s main point of call if they’re truly serious about ending their long wait for a top flight crown.
Maignan, available at zero cost, is set to become Europe’s most available, high-pedigree keeper next year, with the former Lille favourite possessing years of top-level experience and proven ability.
He’s also highly-rated by his peers, like Liverpool’s Alisson, who recently explained why Maignan is one of the best in the world.
“He has been at the best level for five years now,” Alisson said in 2024.
“He has been good since he arrived at AC Milan; he is good for the France national team. He has perfectly replaced a great goalkeeper, a world champion in Hugo Lloris. It isn’t easy but he has done very well.”
“He is physical, quick, he has clean technique. He is very strong. He is one of the best in the world. The quality of goalkeepers has really increased – Mike Maignan is within this elite.”
