Chelsea’s hunt for a top-class goalkeeper has hit a roadblock, with the club reportedly refusing to meet AC Milan’s €30 million (£25m) valuation for France international Mike Maignan.
New manager Enzo Maresca is eager to reinforce the position after Robert Sanchez’s unconvincing campaign, and Maignan was identified as a prime target. Talks are underway, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the two sides remain far apart — Chelsea have only tabled a €10m (£8.4m) offer.
Chelsea believe Maignan’s contract situation (expiring in 2026) and stalled renewal talks lower his market value. AC Milan, however, view the 29-year-old as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and are standing firm on their €30m demand.
“Chelsea won’t wait forever,” Romano added. “They’ve set a Monday deadline and are ready to move on if Milan don’t budge.”
Maignan’s pedigree speaks volumes. A title-winner in both Ligue 1 (Lille) and Serie A (Milan), he was crowned Serie A’s Best Goalkeeper in 2022 and earned a spot in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament. Even Liverpool’s Alisson Becker praised him as part of the goalkeeping elite: “He has perfectly replaced a world champion in Hugo Lloris. He’s physical, fast, and technically flawless.”
With the transfer window closing on June 10, Chelsea must decide quickly: push closer to Milan’s valuation or pivot elsewhere.