Chelsea have reportedly reopened transfer negotiations for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan following their impressive Champions League victory against Barcelona. The Blues secured a commanding 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, showcasing their European credentials and potentially enhancing their appeal to prospective signings.
Champions League Statement Sparks Transfer Activity
Enzo Maresca's side delivered a spectacular performance against European giants Barcelona, with several players earning particular praise for their displays. Willian Estevao, Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez stood out during the emphatic victory that positions Chelsea as genuine contenders in this season's Champions League campaign.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea have now made fresh contact with AC Milan regarding the availability of their first-choice goalkeeper. This development comes after the club previously saw an £18 million bid rejected during the summer transfer window, prior to the Club World Cup tournament.
Maignan's Contract Situation and Premier League Ambitions
The French international goalkeeper has entered the final year of his contract with the Italian club and has reportedly rejected a contract extension that would have kept him at Milan until 2028. Sources indicate Maignan is particularly keen on securing a move to the Premier League, making Chelsea an attractive destination.
Chelsea will face competition from Serie A rivals Juventus, who are also seeking to strengthen their goalkeeping options as they look to replace Michele Di Gregorio. Maignan currently captains AC Milan and has made 11 Serie A appearances this season, with his team suffering only one defeat and recently securing a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Chelsea's Current Goalkeeping Dilemma
Despite the renewed interest in Maignan, manager Enzo Maresca had previously expressed confidence in his existing goalkeeping options. Following the summer transfer saga, the Chelsea boss stated: "The keeper situation is simple, Robert is No.1, Filip is No.2, and we will analyse and judge Penders. Maignan and different players at other clubs - I don't think it is worth talking about them."
However, Robert Sanchez's performances have occasionally frustrated Maresca, particularly regarding distribution and occasional disciplinary issues, such as the red card received against Manchester United. To facilitate any move for Maignan, Chelsea would need to sanction the sale of current second-choice goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen to create space in their squad.
The potential transfer receives endorsement from former Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic, who currently plays alongside Maignan at AC Milan. Pulisic recently praised the goalkeeper as 'unbelievable' in their victory over Inter Milan, posting his admiration on social media platform Instagram.
Chelsea's convincing Champions League performance against Barcelona provides significant leverage in transfer negotiations, as the opportunity to join an increasingly competitive European campaign represents a major selling point for attracting top talent during the January transfer window.
