Chelsea and AC Milan Stuck Over Mike Maignan Transfer Fee

Chelsea’s plan to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has stalled. Both teams disagree on the player’s price. AC Milan want around €30 million for Maignan. But Chelsea’s offer is much lower. The Premier League team won’t keep negotiating past Monday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea and AC Milan have been talking more about Mike Maignan recently. Chelsea want to strengthen their goalkeeping options before returning to the Champions League. AC Milan want €30 million (£25 million) for Maignan. He has just one year left on his contract, ending in June 2026. Chelsea value Maignan at only €10 million. They consider his contract status and the fact that Milan won’t be in the Champions League next season. Chelsea are ready to back out of the deal. They are happy with their four senior goalkeepers if no deal is made by Monday.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mike Maignan is among the top goalkeepers in Europe. He played a key role in AC Milan winning Serie A in his first season. He was also important when they reached the Champions League semifinals in 2023. In this past season, Milan finished second in Serie A but allowed more goals than expected for a top-two team. Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League, just two points behind fifth-place Tottenham. Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen couldn’t impress as Chelsea’s main goalkeeper. This led the club to target Maignan. Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca, likes Maignan’s experience and skill with the ball. These fit his tactical strategy.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BOTH CLUBS?

If there’s no deal by Monday, Chelsea will focus on their current players. These include Sánchez, Jörgensen, Djordje Petrovic, and young Mike Penders. Their next game is in the FIFA Club World Cup later this month. This event gives Maresca an early test and the chance to evaluate his goalkeepers. AC Milan, with Maignan’s future uncertain, must get ready for preseason without a clear starting goalkeeper. Both teams want a quick solution. But they are ready to proceed if talks break down.