Chelsea set to miss out on major transfer target after latest update | OneFootball

Juventus Eye Stunning Free Transfer Move for Mike Maignan

Free Agency Frenzy Looming

Credit to Gazzetta Dello Sport for reporting that negotiations between Mike Maignan and AC Milan have “been stalled for some time”. The Rossoneri had hoped to secure their number one long before his contract winds down, yet the Frenchman “seems inclined to try a new experience”.

Serie A has felt this rhythm before. Gianluigi Donnarumma walked away for nothing. Now Maignan could follow the same path. Juventus are watching closely. Journalist Philip Cornacchia reports that Damien Comolli, Giorgio Chiellini and Francois Modesto were all present when “Magic Mike’s superb reflexes prevented Federico Gatti’s goal”. Scouting does not get more deliberate.

Turin’s New Statement Signing?

Juventus see Maignan as their next defensive pillar, a statement addition in a post-Chiellini, post-Buffon era. The Bianconeri are attracted to the “free-to-play opportunity” and believe Maignan brings “charisma and leadership to spare”.

There is precedent. Jonathan David joined on a free as the first signing of the Comolli-Chiellini era, and Maignan could be the next. “Juventus has gathered information and is ready to enter the race”, Cornacchia adds. His current salary sits at €2.8 million under the Growth Decree. Even with a raise, it is manageable when there is no fee attached.

Premier League and Bayern in the Mix

It will not be uncontested. “Chelsea already attempted to make a move this summer”, only for AC Milan and Massimiliano Allegri to shut the door. Bayern Munich are circling too. If the renewal is not signed by January, the window opens for pre-contracts.

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This new era of delayed decision-making has changed the market. As Cornacchia notes, “free agents already knew where they’d be playing the following season in January or February. This has changed”. Clubs wait, players weigh their leverage, and fanbases agonise.

What Happens to Di Gregorio?

The presence of Michele Di Gregorio complicates the picture. Juventus had lined him up as a successor, yet now “with Maignan at Juve where is Di Gregorio going?”. He remains admired, even “publicly defended” by Tudor, yet hierarchy still rules. If Maignan lands in Turin, Di Gregorio could find himself rerouted to England.

For Juventus, this is a pure opportunistic strike. For Milan, it is a looming disaster they have seen before.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Chelsea perspective this report hits like déjà vu. The club have spent two summers trying to recruit a world class goalkeeper and now, once again, the name Mike Maignan appears on the radar. If Juventus truly go all-in, Chelsea should not hesitate.

The quote that stings most is “Allegri blocked his move to Chelsea this summer”. That means the groundwork was already there. Stamford Bridge had already been considered. There is no need to build a new relationship, only to reopen an old one.

Sign him on a free and the financial logic becomes irresistible. Chelsea are spending big on forwards and midfielders and FFP limits future flexibility. Bringing in a goalkeeper of Maignan’s calibre without a transfer fee would be one of the smartest moves of the Todd Boehly era. He is “a starter for Didier Deschamps’ France side” for a reason.

If Bayern are interested, fine. Let them watch. If Juventus are “ready to dive”, let them try. Chelsea were there first. Stamford Bridge wants a leader who commands, who performs under pressure, who turns one point into three.

There are only a handful of goalkeepers in the world who genuinely elevate a defence just by standing in it. Mike Maignan is one of them. Chelsea cannot afford to be passive this time. Not again.