AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has officially shut down speculation surrounding goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s potential move to Chelsea, confirming that the deal is now completely off.
“I’m very happy he decided to stay,” Allegri said during his press conference on Monday. “Mike remains the captain and is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.”
Chelsea had reportedly submitted multiple offers for the 30-year-old French international, aiming to secure his services ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. However, negotiations stalled due to a significant gap in valuation—Chelsea’s final bid was around £15 million, while Milan held firm at £25 million.
Maignan, who joined Milan from Lille in 2021, has just one year remaining on his contract. Despite this, Allegri personally intervened, holding what Italian media described as “crisis talks” to convince Maignan to remain at San Siro. His leadership on and off the pitch has been pivotal, and Milan have reaffirmed their commitment to keeping him as club captain.
The decision comes at a crucial time for Milan, who are undergoing a squad rebuild after missing out on European qualification last season. Allegri emphasized Maignan’s role as a cornerstone of the team’s future, alongside fellow star Rafael Leão, who is also set to stay despite interest from top European clubs.
With Maignan off the table, Chelsea will now need to reassess their goalkeeping options. Robert Sánchez and Filip Jørgensen remain in contention, while Djordje Petrovic, returning from a standout loan at Strasbourg, could be retained as a first-choice option.
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