Milan’s Maignan in Advanced Talks for Contract Extension Amid Chelsea Interest

Milan’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, was anticipated to leave the club this summer when his current contract expires, particularly due to a lack of progress in negotiations for a new deal until 2025. However, it appears that AC Milan has made significant strides in their efforts to retain the 30-year-old player. According to Fabrice Hawkins, Maignan is now engaged in advanced discussions to extend his tenure with the club for another five years, although a final agreement has yet to be reached.

This development comes as a considerable setback for Chelsea, who had identified the highly-rated keeper as their primary target to succeed their current first-choice goalkeeper. During the summer of 2025, Chelsea made a strong push to sign Maignan prior to the Club World Cup in the United States, but their initial bid of €15 million (£13m/$17.5m) was swiftly rejected. Reports indicated that Maignan was interested in the move; however, Milan remained resolute, and Chelsea did not pursue their interest later in the summer. It is believed that Massimiliano Allegri’s recent appointment played a crucial role in retaining the club’s captain.

Milan’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani, refuted claims suggesting that Maignan had attempted to engineer a move away from the club, stating, “There was interest from an English club, but it was not considered compelling from our perspective. Mike has always been and remains an important player for Milan. His agent has also acted with integrity, showing openness to the interest while simultaneously expressing a desire to remain at Milan. Looking ahead, only time will tell what the future holds.”

Juventus has also shown interest in Maignan. In a statement released in December, Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare remarked, “We have never discussed specific figures. Discussing Mike is straightforward; he is an extraordinary individual and a remarkable leader. He enjoys being at Milan, and Milan appreciates having him here. For now, let’s focus on our games, and we will discuss this matter later.”

While Maignan’s long-term future with Milan is not yet secured, it appears that Chelsea will need to explore alternative options to bolster their goalkeeping lineup. Current first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has seen his reputation improve over the past year, yet the position continues to be perceived as a notable weakness that requires attention. It remains uncertain whether incoming Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior shares this perspective, as he will be observing closely from the stands during his new club’s upcoming west London derby against Fulham on Wednesday night.