Chelsea are aiming to close the Mike Maignan deal by the end of Tuesday, as they expect to seal a £20 million fee with AC Milan.
According to Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Chelsea anticipates a swift closure on their pursuit of Mike Maignan, as they are expecting to seal the transfer by the end of Tuesday. The French No.1 is open to joining the Blues ahead of the next few days, as the London side are eager to have him in their Club World Cup squad.
Chelsea are moving in the market at a good pace to get some quick deals done and strengthen the squad for the Club World Cup. One of the main positions on their agenda is the one between the sticks, and they have identified their top target for the role.
Robert Sanchez is already close to an exit, and Enzo Maresca is keen to lure in a top-draw presence between the sticks. Chelsea have been chasing Mike Maignan from AC Milan, and they have already seen a bid rejected which reportedly amounted to £15 million.
The low valuation is because Maignan has entered the final year of his deal, with the actual price likely to be much more had he had a few more seasons on his deal at San Siro. Chelsea are reportedly ready to offer £20 million, something AC Milan would agree to as per the report.
Chelsea expect to seal the move by Tuesday, and they are keen to add him to their Club World Cup squad ahead of the competition commencing later this month. Maignan is keen on making the move, with the report stressing the fact that the 29-year-old French international is eager to live in London.
Mike Maignan will prove his brilliance at Chelsea
Maignan might be 29, but he has established himself as one of the top keepers in the world and is now an established No.1 for the France national team. While the idea of signing him might go against Chelsea’s policy of signing players under a specific age, now that they are in the Champions League a change of thinking was necessary.
Maignan will be a massive upgrade over Sanchez, and elevate Chelsea to new heights. The 29-year-old French international will bring about a newfound defensive stability at the back, as the goalkeeping position was the most problematic area for them in the last few years, as fans could get to see the first glimpse at the Club World Cup.
