Chelsea to make FREE transfer signing with terms already agreed

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 5 Sept 2025 15:58 BST
  • 4 min read
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
© IMAGO

Chelsea remain in pole position to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to Italian media.

Article continues under the video

The Blues attempted to sign the 30-year-old during the first summer transfer window ahead of the Club World Cup. Maignan was seen as a market opportunity due to his contract situation, but no move materialised.

Maignan is out of contract next summer, which emboldened Chelsea to make a move for him, feeling that AC Milan would be inclined to sell for a reasonable price to avoid losing him for free.

Current ETV
Player image Mike Maignan 
Mike Maignan 

GK

Milan logo

Milan

Mike Maignan 
Mike Maignan 

GK

Milan

Milan

€15.5M

ETV Range

€13.9M - €17M

However, the Rossoneri were not willing to lose one of the best goalkeepers in the world for a trifling fee and rebuffed two low-ball bids from the Blues worth €10 million and €15m. The Serie A giants wanted to receive at least €30m for the France international.

Chelsea were not willing to pay that and left the discussions. They refused to reignite their pursuit of Maignan in the second summer window, but according to Calciomercato, they remain keen on the player.

Chelsea to sign Maignan in 2026

It is claimed that Chelsea continue to track Maignan with a view to finally landing him next year when he will be available for nothing. Personal terms with the shot-stopper remain in place after their agreement in the summer.

Maignan will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with the Stamford Bridge club in the winter window, and there is a clear expectation that he will leave AC Milan on a Bosman next summer.

Mike Maignan
© IMAGO - Mike Maignan

Although other clubs could yet enter the race for him, Chelsea remain in pole position given that they already laid the groundwork for a move in June. As for AC Milan, they have resigned themselves to losing Maignan.

Despite having been keen on the move to Chelsea in the summer, the Frenchman has remained a consummate professional and will captain Max Allegri's side in what will be his final season at the San Siro.

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