Chelsea ‘target Serie A star goalkeeper to be their new No 1’ as Enzo Maresca looks to upgrade on Robert Sanchez

• Chelsea are continuing to get transfer business done ahead of Club World Cup
• Goalkeepers Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have both endured a poor season 

By HARRY BAMFORTH

Chelsea have reportedly approached AC Milan to enquire about signing goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

The 29-year-old’s current contract at the San Siro is set to expire in 2026, and he is yet to strike a deal on new terms to stay in Italy.

It has previously been suggested that Chelsea were not in the market for a new goalkeeper, despite both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen struggling between the sticks.

However, with the west London side now aware of Maignan’s contract situation at the Rossoneri, they have now struck up talks to bring him to Stamford Bridge, according to Fabrizio Romano.

They are keen to get business done early, with FIFA having introduced a June 1-10 transfer window before the Club World Cup, and are already closing in on the signing of Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Maignan has been on Chelsea’s radar for some time as they search for the perfect shot-topper, and now they have decided to pursue the France international.

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with AC Milan over signing goalkeeper Mike Maignan

Enzo Maresca is seemingly looking to replace Robert Sanchez as No 1 after a poor season

Maignan has just a year left on his deal at AC Milan and is yet to put pen to paper on new terms

It is believed that a decision on Maignan’s future is all down to whether Milan want to risk him leaving on a free transfer next summer or allow him to depart for a fee this year.

The Frenchman joined Milan from Lille back in 2021 and has been a consistent performer for the Italian giants over the last four seasons.

Despite the club having a poor 2024-25 campaign, in which they finished a lowly eighth in the Serie A, Maignan still managed to keep 13 clean sheets.

With Champions League on offer, he could be tempted to make the switch to the English capital and lead what is already a stacked group of goalkeepers.

With Sanchez and Jorgensen already the top two at the club, Chelsea will also see both Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga return from their respective loan deals.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will not be turning Jadon Sancho’s loan into a permanent move with the Blues paying a £5million penalty fee to send him back to Manchester United.

Sancho would have stayed for £25m but personal terms could not be agreed with the 25-year-old over the last week. His loan runs until the end of June.

He is now on his way back to Old Trafford, and will assess his options at home and abroad this summer. 

It means that Maresca has now set his sights on bringing in a winger to accompany their new frontman, reportedly starting talks over a potential £50million move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.

Chelsea first reported their interest in Gittens, 20, when they enquired about his services in January, and according to the Telegraph, they are now ready to act.

The England Under-21s starlet is believed to have a release clause around the £50m mark, with many of European football’s elite clubs circling.

:
Chelsea ‘target Serie A star goalkeeper to be their new No 1’ as Enzo Maresca looks to upgrade on Robert Sanchez

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk