AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has made a last-ditch – and ultimately unsuccessful – effort to dissuade Mike Maignan from leaving the club for Chelsea this summer.
Chelsea have been locked in talks for Maignan for the last week and are believed to be closing in on a deal for the 29-year-old goalkeeper after seeing an opening offer of €15million (£12.6m) rejected by Milan.
The Blues have made signing a new ‘keeper one of their key priorities on the back of an error-strewn season for Robert Sanchez, who lost his place to Filip Jorgensen – only to win it back again – midway through the campaign.
The likes of Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford have also been tentatively linked, but Chelsea have honed in on Maignan, determined to make the Frenchman their fourth signing of the window following deals for Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea are expected to announce Maignan’s arrival before Tuesday’s 7pm transfer deadline and the shot-stopper has begun ‘saying his goodbyes’ in Milan.
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The Europa Conference League winners are set to wrap up an €18m (£15m) for Maignan and hope have him on board in time for the start of their Club World Cup campaign, which kicks off against Los Angeles FC next Monday.
The report claims new Milan manager Allegri made one final attempt to keep hold of Maignan during some ‘tough negotiations’ with the France international, but the Serie A giants have now conceded defeat.
Maignan has just one year remaining on his current contract at the San Siro and Milan do not want to risk losing their number one for free in 12 months’ time.
Chelsea offered one of Djordje Petrovic or Kepa Arrizabalaga to Milan in a proposed deal for Maignan, but the Rossoneri have no interest in either goalkeeper, favouring a cash-only agreement.
Milan have identified Roma’s Mile Svilar as their primary target to replace Miagnan between the sticks.
Discussing the impending move on ESPN FC, ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf said he expected Maignan to be a ‘very useful’ signing for his former club.
‘”Magic Mike” is his nickname because he’s so exceptional,’ Leboeuf said of his fellow countryman.
‘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.’
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