Chelsea have submitted a formal offer to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. The club is pushing to finalize the deal quickly to meet the registration deadline for the tournament, which is fast approaching.
The initial offer is reported to be around €15m. Chelsea are hoping AC Milan will respond quickly so the move can be completed in time. However, Milan value Maignan much higher, reportedly closer to £25 million, especially given his importance to the team and the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract.
Maignan is said to be open to the move, with personal terms already agreed. The 29-year-old French international is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, having consistently delivered strong performances for Milan over the past few seasons. His potential arrival would be a major upgrade to Chelsea’s goalkeeping department, which is currently in flux.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to be sold to Arsenal, while the futures of Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic remain uncertain. Chelsea also have young talents like Filip Jørgensen and Mike Penders in the pipeline, but the club is looking for a proven first-choice keeper to lead from the back.
Although the initial bid has reportedly been rejected, Chelsea are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming days. The club remains optimistic that a deal can be struck soon.