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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Chelsea transfer stance made clear after AC Milan set Mike Maignan price tag

Chelsea are eyeing a move for France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but only for the right price.

Maignan would be available for around £25million as he enters the final year of his contract at AC Milan, but the Blues are understood to be unwilling to pay that much.

Chelsea are considering upgrading their goalkeeper this summer, having struggled to settle on a No1 since 2021 Champions League winner Edouard Mendy departed for Al Ahli in 2023.

Maignan is understood to be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea now mulling over the logistics of a deal and whether it is workable.

(Getty Images)

If they signed Maignan, who turns 30 next month, he would become the oldest player in the squad, and his arrival would represent a departure from their policy under the Todd Bohely-Clearlake Capital ownership of signing young players.

Since Hugo Lloris’s international retirement in January 2023, Maignan has been the first-choice goalkeeper for France.

Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Chelsea.

Their No1 this season was Robert Sanchez but he made a number of high-profile errors and the Blues would consider offers for the Spaniard for the right price.

His understudy was Filip Jorgensen, who played predominantly in the Conference League and is not expected to leave this summer.

Djordje Petrovic, who ended the 2023-24 season as No1, spent this season on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg and has interest. He has been linked with West Ham and could leave.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is still on Chelsea’s books after a season on loan at Bournemouth. He is expected to leave Chelsea permanently this summer.

There is much excitement at Chelsea about goalkeeper Mike Penders, the 19-year-old was signed from Genk last August but remained with the Belgian club this season. He has now joined up with his new club and is seen as a Chelsea No1 of the future.

Another busy summer is expected at Chelsea, who are preparing to announce the arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich after triggering the striker's £30million relegation release clause.

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