Chelsea fail in talks to sign Man United target Mike Maignan | OneFootball

Manchester United’s prospects of signing Mike Maignan have received a boost as Chelsea’s pursuit of the AC Milan goalkeeper has failed, Fabrizio Romano reveals.

Maignan, 29, has established himself as one of the shot stoppers in Europe since his switch to Milan in 2021 from LOSC Lille, with outstanding reflexes and command of his area, while retaining the technical attributes modern football demands from a goalkeeper.

Maignan played a pivotal role in I Rossoneri winning Serie A in 2022 – the club’s only title since 2011 – and was named the league’s best goalkeeper with 17 clean sheets across the campaign.

However, the France international only has one year remaining on his contact at the San Siro with negotiations over a new deal having stalled in recent months. This has put a number of clubs across the continent, including United, on red-alert over a potential cut-price raid with Milan under pressure financially after a poor season.

But it was Premier League rival Chelsea who jumped the queue for Maignan with the West London club searching for a more reliable number one for Enzo Maresca.

Maignan was believed to be keen on the move to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea are able to offer Champions League football next season; something neither Milan nor United can match after abysmal domestic campaigns for both.

But Romano reveals talks have failed and a deal is “now off between Chelsea and AC Milan” with the Blues unwilling to meet the demands of the Italian giant.

Tweet: “EXCL: Mike Maignan deal now OFF between Chelsea and AC Milan. Chelsea not willing to meet Milan price, deal not proceeding in time for Club World Cup as #CFC won’t pay “CWC tax”. #CFC mantain full trust in Petrović, Sánchez, Jorgensen + talent Mike Penders for GK role.”

Romano states Chelsea retain “full trust” in their existing cohort of goalkeepers, suggesting a move for Maignan was borne out of opportunity rather than necessity.

This situation is not replicated at Old Trafford however, where Ruben Amorim’s senior goalkeeping options – Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir – have endured terrible seasons littered with game-changing errors.

The need for a new option between the sticks for the Red Devils is acute, even if club executives do not agree.

United are unwilling to direct the bulk of the summer towards the defence with funds instead focused on the misfiring forward line. A cheaper option to replace Bayindir and rival Onana is thought to be the plan, rather than an outright upgrade on the Cameroon international.

But this is why a move for Maignan is so appealing with Milan believed to be asking for just £20 million for their star player due to the risk of losing him for nothing in twelve months time.

This price point is affordable for United, particularly if the sales of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are expedited, and it secures a number one option for number two money.

The main issue would be convincing Maigan to choose Manchester even without the prospect of Champions League football next season. But there are unlikely to be many top clubs across Europe searching for a new goalkeeper this summer, outside of Chelsea, and the Frenchman faces no European football if he remains in Milan anyways.

INEOS must strike now to make Maignan an offer he cannot refuse and secure Amorim a “world-class” option in a problem position for the Portuguese coach.

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