Just when Chelsea fans thought their club was about to secure a world-class goalkeeper ahead of the Club World Cup, talks with AC Milan over Mike Maignan hit a dead end.
Despite a recent push to finalize the deal, things didn’t go as planned.
Price Tag Too Steep for the Blues
Chelsea had shown serious interest in bringing the French shot-stopper to Stamford Bridge.
With the Club World Cup around the corner, there was a sense of urgency to wrap things up quickly.
However, AC Milan reportedly demanded around £20 million for Maignan—an amount Chelsea felt was artificially high.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the club believed they were being hit with a “Club World Cup tax,” and ultimately, they backed out of the deal.
Special Transfer Window Nears Its End
A short-term transfer window had opened specifically to allow clubs participating in the Club World Cup to strengthen their squads.
That window shuts on Tuesday and will reopen next week.
Chelsea hoped to use this period to get the Maignan deal done, but with negotiations breaking down, they’ll now have to wait or shift focus.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeper Logjam Still Lingers
The London club currently has five goalkeepers under contract—Robert Sánchez, Filip Jørgensen, Djordje Petrović, Mike Penders, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Despite this depth, none have firmly locked down the No. 1 spot, prompting the club to look externally.
However, following the Maignan setback, reports suggest Chelsea still has “full trust” in Petrović, Sánchez, Jørgensen, and Penders for now.
Kepa and Bettinelli Eyeing the Exit Door
Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, is now close to signing with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli is said to be nearing a move to Manchester City.
These expected departures further complicate Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation.
Maignan’s Future Still Up in the Air
Mike Maignan, who joined Milan in 2021 and helped them win the Serie A title in the 2021–22 season, has just one year left on his contract.
Despite AC Milan’s disappointing eighth-place finish last season, Maignan still stood out with 13 clean sheets.
At 29, he’s widely regarded as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers.
A Rollercoaster International Career
Maignan made his senior debut for France in 2020 and was part of their Euro 2020 squad, although he didn’t feature in the tournament.
An untimely injury kept him out of the 2022 World Cup, where he was likely to be the starting keeper.
His big international break came in early 2023 when Hugo Lloris retired, clearing the way for Maignan to become France’s No. 1.
One Deal Off, Another Sealed
While the Maignan pursuit didn’t work out, Chelsea didn’t walk away empty-handed.
They completed the signing of highly-rated defender Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg on Monday for £12 million.
That brings their summer transfer spending to about £60 million so far, with other acquisitions including Liam Delap and Portuguese teenager Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With the Club World Cup fast approaching and their goalkeeping situation still unsettled, Chelsea now has a decision to make.
Will they push for another keeper once the window reopens on June 16?
Or will they put their faith in the current squad?
Either way, fans can expect more movement before the summer is over.