Chelsea have opted not to 'overpay' for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan on deadline day ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. It's fair to say that the Blues' decision not to meet the Serie A giants' £30m asking price has received significant backlash.
Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal which would see Maignan arrive at Stamford Bridge is off. The club aren't prepared to pay Club World Cup 'tax' to bring the Frenchman to west London.
Maignan is a fully established France international and one of Europe's most highly-regarded shot-stoppers. He 'pushed' for a move but Milan's valuation proved too expensive.
🚨 EXCL: Mike Maignan deal now OFF between Chelsea and AC Milan. ❌🇫🇷
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2025
Chelsea not willing to meet Milan price, deal not proceeding in time for Club World Cup as #CFC won’t pay “CWC tax”.#CFC mantain full trust in Petrović, Sánchez, Jorgensen + talent Mike Penders for GK role. pic.twitter.com/VP4scFzbiI
Chelsea recruitment RIGHT to pull plug on Maignan
The general consensus among the Stamford Bridge faithful in response to the collapsed move is one of bemusement. Many were quick to point out that Robert Sanchez, whose future remains uncertain, was signed for just £5m less.
Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, and Joe Shields have had a tough time winning over fans, but their decision to opt out of the deal shows they won't be walkovers in this summer's transfer window.
Maignan has a year left on his contract and while £30m is reasonable there's every possibility the club can sign him for free next summer. If the 29-year-old's situation doesn't change he'll be free to speak to clubs from abroad in January, including the Blues.
Blues' goalkeeping situation needs sorting out
Maignan was a market opportunity that Chelsea were keen on pouncing for, but only at their price. The interest shown in the Milan goalkeeper doesn't mean the club are looking to sign a new shot-stopper this summer.
Romano claims that the Blues have "full trust" in Djordje Petrovic, Sanchez Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders (in the long term). But a clear number one must be decided on once the Club World Cup ends and Enzo Maresca's men prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.
Petrovic and Sanchez would likely expect to battle it out for the number one jersey, but there's no assurance they'll both be at Stamford Bridge next season. The club are reportedly "expecting to sell| either one of them, per The Athletic.
This doesn't suggest a solid plan is in place regarding who is the man between the sticks ahead of a return to UEFA Champions League football. It will be interesting to see who Maresca goes with in the Club World Cup opener against Leon (June 16).
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