Chelsea are set to wrap up the signing of Mike Maignan from AC Milan over the coming hours.
The Blues ended their campaign on a high after winning the Europa Conference League and securing Champions League football for next season with a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League.
But determined to make up ground on their rivals, Chelsea’s hierarchy quickly turned their attentions to the summer transfer market, completing deals for Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo and Ipswich striker Liam Delap.
Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is expected follow the duo to Stamford Bridge in due course and the west London giants are also closing in on an agreement for Maignan, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
It’s claimed the final details of the proposed deal of Maignan will be ironed out by Tuesday, with Chelsea set to shake hands on a fee of €18million (£15m) for the France international.
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The report states that Maignan has been saying his goodbyes to his team-mates in Milan and the 30-year-old shot-stopper will soon be a Chelsea player, ‘barring any surprises’.
Chelsea had floated the idea of including one of Djordje Petrovic to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the agreement but Milan had no interest, favouring a cash-only agreement.
The Blues hope to have Maignan ready and available for their Club World Cup campaign, which kicks off against Los Angeles FC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 16.
Maignan, who has made 163 appearances in all competitions for Milan, has just one year remaining on his current contract at the San Siro.
Milan bosses have already begun scouring the market for Maignan’s possible replacement, identifying Roma’s Mile Svilar as their top transfer target.
Enzo Maresca has been intent on bringing in a new goalkeeper after desperately poor season for Robert Sanchez, who lost his place to Filip Jorgensen midway through the 2024/25 campaign.
‘”Magic Mike” is his nickname because he’s so exceptional,’ ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf told ESPN FC when asked about a proposed move for Maignan last week.
‘But as much as I like him and I think he would fit perfectly to Chelsea… Chelsea have decided to give an exception in their trading business system.
‘I think they should [make an exception] where you need a new Thiago Silva.
‘It would be more interesting to have somebody as a centre-back. That would be my decision, but if they decide to go for Mike that’s a very good decision because the guy is a really good goalkeeper.
‘I know him, I appreciate him and I think he will be very useful to Chelsea.’
