AC Milan could reportedly now try to convince goalkeeper Mike Maignan to commit to the club and sign a contract renewal.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, and that in turn led to intense speculation over his future in recent weeks with Chelsea heavily linked with prising him away this summer.
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No deal materialised prior to the closure of the initial summer transfer window, but with clubs able to do business again from next week onwards, it remains to be seen if the Premier League side return with an improved offer to try and sign Maignan.
The French international has been a fundamental figure for us since he joined in 2021, as although he has struggled with injuries and dips in form at times, he’s been consistently decisive throughout and remains a leading figure in the dressing room having now established himself as a stalwart in the group.
In turn, it was always hoped that he would put pen to paper on a contract renewal rather than leave, and certainly not on a free transfer, and now the door has seemingly been opened again on that possibility.
According to Daniele Longo, a meeting is expected to take place between Maignan and Massimiliano Allegri, with the Milan boss tipped to try and convince him to be part of our rebuild and push for success in the coming years under his guidance.
Further, it’s claimed that sporting director Igli Tare is preparing a new deal to try and get the Frenchman to sign, and so time will tell what the conclusion of this latest push from Milan is.
On one hand, it could be argued that having gone this long without signing a new contract and amid speculation that he was open to a move to Chelsea, it’s perhaps best to just let our No.1 goalkeeper leave, and unquestionably this summer before we run the risk of losing him for nothing next year, and focus on bringing in a capable replacement.
Conversely, he is still a pivotal player for us and is capable of giving us stability, leadership and consistency with so many touted exits around him, and so it remains to be seen if this meeting takes place, and how successful it is in bringing the two parties back together and closer to securing their future together.
