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With Mauricio Pochettino now confirmed as their new manager, Chelsea are keen to retool their already expensively-assembled squad this summer, however, their ambitious recruitment drive has already hit a few early bumps with a French international the latest player to rebuff the Blues’ advances.
While the club’s aspirations remain lofty, their pull in the transfer market isn’t quite as strong as it was following their failure to secure continental football for next season and Les Bleus star and AC Milan number on Mike Maignan is believed to have brushed off Chelsea’s interest for that reason.
The latest Mike Maignan transfer update
Mike Maignan is considered one of the best players in the world in his position and the French goalkeeper was an influential performer for Milan last season during the Rossoneri’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.
The 27-year-old has made vast improvements to his game over the past 12 months and he is still several years short of reaching his prime, which suggests he could have a strong case to be football’s best keeper when his career reaches its zenith.
The acrobatic netminder is rumoured to be on the wish list of several of Europe’s biggest clubs, however, reports from Italy have surfaced to suggest a move to Chelsea is not on the cards this summer.
The Blues’ failure to qualify for any of UEFA’s three cup competitions is believed to have swayed Maignan’s opinion, with the goalie keen to embark on another quest for success on the continent following last season’s near miss.
The Frenchman is also thought to be considering his future with the Milanese giants however, following the departure of popular Sporting Director, Paolo Maldini.
Maldini played a key role in identifying and bringing Maignan from French club Lille to Milan back in 2021 in a deal worth approximately €15m. Maignan still has three years left on his contract at San Siro and it could take a sum north of €80m to convince Milan to part with him during the current transfer window.
Chelsea searching for a new number one
With current Chelsea keepers Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga both failing to convince, the Blues are scouring the market for a new goalkeeper this summer and Maignan’s disinterest in a switch to London is a blow to the club’s plans.
However, across the city of Milan, an alternative candidate could also be on their radar in the form of Inter’s Andre Onana.
The Cameroonian international enjoyed a largely successful season with the Nerazzurri in 2022/23, lifting a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana as well as reaching the Champions League final.
A swap deal for Onana involving misfits Kalidou Koulibaly and Romelu Lukaku going the other way has been muted, though an arrangement of that nature seems far-fetched for the time being at least.
It is widely accepted however, that Chelsea will need to sell players before they can buy following the club’s incredible £600m outlay under Chief Executive Todd Boehly over the past year.
N’Golo Kante has already left the club in a switch to Saudi Arabia, while Mason Mount could be the next high-profile player out the door at Stamford Bridge with a move to Manchester United rumoured to be close to completion.
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