Chelsea are expected to sign a new goalkeeper ahead of next season. Current Blues number one, Robert Sanchez, had a mixed campaign. While he was solid in goal for the majority of the time, on some occasions, he made errors and conceded easy goals that significantly altered the outcome of matches. At his best, he is phenomenal but the club need someone more reliable.
Chelsea are exploring various options to fill the spot in goal. AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan has emerged as the leading candidate. The 29-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, with no extension in sight.
As a result, the Blues had approached AC Milan to secure Maignan’s signature, hoping for a cut-price deal. However, AC Milan are believed to be looking for a figure in the region of £25 million.
Although the deal has hit a hurdle for now, it looks like Chelsea might have an answer to cope up with the high amount. It was earlier reported that the Blues are looking to part with Armando Broja in the summer transfer window, and he might be the missing piece of the puzzle in the Maignan deal. Following the arrival of Chelsea’s new number nine, Liam Delap, the Albanian international’s departure becomes all the more likely.
Could Chelsea swap Broja for Maignan?
As reported by Express, AC Milan are one of the clubs that has already registered an interest in signing Broja. A swap deal or player-plus-cash agreement could therefore be beneficial for all parties.
Broja has been on loan for two consecutive seasons to Everton and Fulham, respectively. The Chelsea academy graduate has failed to make his mark in the 24/25 season, partly due to his injury issues. It’s feels like only a matter of time before he bids goodbye to Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan emerging as a potential destination is welcome news. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is also said to be pushing for Maignan’s signing, as he is said to be an ideal fit for his style of football. The French international is great at playing it out from the back and carries a lot of experience under his belt.
All the parties involved could benefit from a swap deal. Broja would have a fresh start in a new league, and Maignan would embark on a new chapter of his career. It remains to be seen if Chelsea and AC Milan do go down that path after all.