Chelsea are ‘frontrunners’ within the race to signal AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, based on Ekrem Konur.
Maignan joined the Rossoneri from Lille in 2021 after serving to the French outfit clinch their fourth Ligue 1 title and protecting a powerful 21 clear sheets in his 38 appearances for Les Dogues that season.
He wasted no time making an affect—profitable the Serie A title in his debut season and later contributing considerably to their Italian Tremendous Cup success final season.
Chelsea explored the prospect of signing the French worldwide, whose contract runs till the summer season of 2026, in the summertime, however negotiations stalled as the 2 golf equipment couldn’t agree on his valuation.
It seems the West London membership have rekindled their curiosity in Maignan, as Konur claims that Enzo Maresca’s facet are the ‘frontrunners’ to signal the 6ft 3in shotstopper.
Whereas a summer season transfer seems extra seemingly, the France worldwide might nonetheless go away within the January switch window for a substantial price, with Chelsea now eager, based on the report.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, inherited a big group of gamers, together with no fewer than 5 senior goalkeepers on the membership, however the record has now been trimmed to solely Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Gabriel Slonina within the first group.
Is Maignan an improve on Sanchez?
Having been berated severely for his a number of goal-costing blunders, particularly final season, Sanchez now seems to have turned the nook this season.
The three-cap Spain worldwide saved three clear sheets in November, conceding only one aim — which got here within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Arsenal — a run that earned him the PFA Followers’ Participant of the Month award.
Sánchez has additionally proven enchancment together with his passing this season, with FotMob ranking his distribution at 67.1 per cent. He has accomplished 92 correct lengthy balls, whereas his 25 excessive claims rank among the many greatest figures within the league.
As compared, Maignan — who additionally has six clear sheets like Sánchez — edges the Chelsea goalkeeper in saves, with 37, and boasts a better save share of 77.1 per cent, in comparison with the Spaniard’s 31 saves and 70.5 per cent.
Whereas his correct passes and high-claim numbers fall beneath these of the previous Brighton shot-stopper, Maignan’s distribution stays spectacular at 74.4 per cent, underlining that he possesses the qualities to be a dependable choice for Maresca.
Together with his contract set to run out subsequent summer season, it’ll be fascinating to see whether or not the Blues will provide a price round his £21m Transfermarkt valuation to signal him in January or danger dealing with competitors by ready till subsequent summer season.
