Chelsea “still interested” in summer target and could make new January offer says Italian source | OneFootball

The summer transfer window has only just closed, but the international break is in full swing. That doesn’t leave us many options other than to… look ahead to the winter window!

Chelsea got through a huge amount of business this summer, both in terms of buying and selling. But one thing they didn’t do was secure a new goalkeeper.

Maignan deal could be revived by Chelsea in January

Back at the start of the summer they were heavily linked to Mike Maignan, the AC Milan goalkeeper. They got as far as agreeing personal terms, but couldn’t get a deal done with the Italian team.

The France international goalkeeper’s contract expires at the end of the season, so Chelsea weren’t offering much, and Milan preferred to keep their star around another year and potentially lose him on a free.

Chelsea can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him from January, and according to CalcioMercato in Italy that’s exactly what they intend to do.

They say Chelsea are “still interested” in the keeper and are willing to return with a fresh offer.

Maignan is now 30 and his signing would break the pattern we’ve set of signing youngsters. But the fact that he’s on a free transfer might mean the usual rules don’t apply anyway. Goalkeepers peak later and play until they’re older. A 3 year deal for Maignan to play while Mike Penders develops could be perfect.

Sanchez can cement himself – or play his way into trouble – in coming months

A lot will depend on Robert Sanchez’s form this season. He’s been shown huge faith by our sporting structure, but the fact that they even went for Maignan in the first place shows they have their own doubts too.

If he’s great from now until January, we will likely persevere. If he struggles, expect the rumours to get really intense when the winter window opens.