Chelsea have reignited their long standing interest in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The 30-year-old shot stopper is currently on international duty with France as he prepares to help les Bleus win their third World Cup.
Despite signing a new contract with AC Milan at the start of the year, the Rossoneri captain has once again been linked with a transfer to Chelsea.
How much Chelsea might have to pay for Mike Maignan
This summer will be important for Chelsea. The Blues are expected to sign multiple new players, including a new keeper as concerns continue to be raised over Robert Sanchez's ability to play to the incoming Xabi Alonso's style.
Back up keeper Filip Jorgensen will also leave Stamford Bridge after it became apparent the Dane wants more regular football. Enter Maignan.
This isn't the first time Chelsea have flirted with the AC Milan keeper. They offered the Serie A giants around £18 million for him last year. That deal never materalised but one this summer could.
Despite the excitment surrounding the possibility of seeing Maignan finally move to the Premier League, Chelsea fans won't want the Frenchman to have a standout World Cup campaign.
And that's because according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, if Maignan plays well on the World's biggest stage, AC Milan will expect as much as £43 million — a significantly higher fee than the one Chelsea offered 12 months ago.
Recent contract extension raises serious questions
There is no doubting that Maignan would be a huge upgrade on the keepers Chelsea currently have available to them, but questions must be asked over his desire to leave the San Siro.
Having penned a new deal until 2031 just six months ago, it's clear Maignan is enjoying life in Milan, and Chelsea won't want to be an after thought.
After failing to qualify for any sort of European football last season, Alonso will need players who are up for the challenge of getting the side back to where they should be, so if a player only joins because of a bumper salary then, mentally, they're not going to be the right fit.
If, on the other hand, Maignan really fancies testing himself in arguably the toughest league in the world, then he'd be welcomed to Stamford Bridge with open arms.
So, with all of that said, fans will definitely want to pay close attention to how the 30-year-old does for France this summer. Les Bleus' Group opener against Senegal is on June 16 with Maignan expected to start in between the sticks.
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