Chelsea benefit from brutal sacking: Star could 'pack his bags' and join Blues

Updated: 8 Jun 2026 14:27 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is mulling over his future, which could present Chelsea with the chance to reignite their interest.

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The France international is preparing for the World Cup with Les Bleus, but things are stirring behind the scenes. His club, AC Milan, endured a catastrophic end to the season and missed out on Champions League qualification.

This was a spectacular turn of events, given that the Rossoneri had, for most of the campaign, looked like a comfortable top-four and perhaps even top-two team in Serie A. However, indifferent performances in the final months of the season undid much of the earlier good work.

Current ETV

Mike Maignan

Milan

Mike Maignan

Milan

ETV Range

€20M - €24.4M

The ramifications were enormous: Milan's fuming club chiefs completely cleaned house, sacking head coach Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani.

More sweeping changes are expected to follow, with numerous players on the chopping block, chief among them superstar winger Rafael Leao, who has publicly talked up a transfer in recent days.

Maignan reconsidering his future

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Maignan is also considering his future. He signed a new contract with the Rossoneri over the festive period, but he only agreed to do so because a return to the Champions League appeared to be on the cards.

The club's late-season collapse has naturally left him frustrated, but the Italian outlet adds that the 30-year-old has been left equally upset by Milan's drastic axing of Allegri and his allies. Maignan enjoyed a good rapport with the coaching staff.

For now, the Frenchman hasn't made a firm decision on his future. Should he decide to "pack his bags" and leave the club, his exit is not expected to play out as publicly as Leao's saga currently is. "Mike isn't that type," the newspaper writes.

Chelsea attempted to sign him around this time last year during the Club World Cup window. They thought they could get a good deal because of Maignan's expiring contract but ultimately baulked at Milan's valuation.

Because of his extension, he hasn't become any cheaper. On the contrary, it is claimed that Milan would only consider a sale of him for a fee of up to €50 million. Chelsea have changed up their transfer strategy, but it is doubtful that they would be willing to go that high.

Nevertheless, Maignan is now once again one to watch. Should he have a good World Cup, suitors will inevitably come forward despite his price tag - perhaps even Chelsea.

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