GdS: ‘Maignan in the balance’ – Milan pause for reflection despite renewal agreement | OneFootball

AC Milan and Mike Maignan have an agreement over a renewal, but the club have paused for reflection given his fluctuating form.

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how the number one question in the construction of the new Milan is the one concerning the goalkeeper: will Maignan return to being Magic, deserving of the renewal, or are his super powers over and Milan will have to look for a replacement?

Milan won the league with Maignan as one of the stars in 2021-22, with Lille having lifted the Ligue 1 title the season prior. The following campaign was compromised by muscle injuries, then the one after that (2023-24) Maignan was less ‘magic’ but still decisive in some circumstances.

In the current season, as well as in the Champions League journey that ended in February, Mike has been much less helpful. Indeed, a mistake in the first of the two play-off legs against Feyenoord made the road uphill before Theo’s red card.

Questions about form

Igor Paixao, Brazilian from Feyenoord, had beaten Maignan on his post in the first minutes of the match in Rotterdam. Other links in the unfortunate chain were the carelessness in Como, on Diao’s goal, and Cagliari’s equaliser at San Siro, a goal by Zortea.

Mike was not impeccable for Weah’s goal in the 2-0 defeat at Juventus, either. And after the Champions League blunder, there are the most recent errors with Torino: the clearance that hit Thiaw and the sensational own goal.

Then there was the tackle on Isaksen that had led to the decisive penalty for Lazio at the beginning of March at San Siro. However, there is also another version, very recent: Maignan who last night saved a penalty in Croatia-France from Kramaric.

Many other times in the past he had been able to protect the Rossoneri’s goal. Mike also knows how to raise his voice, dictate the positioning of the defensive line, guide his teammates in the composition of the wall. In possession, Maignan also pushes himself up to midfield to give instructions.

A choice to make

Which of the two versions will Milan consider in the negotiations for the renewal? The goalkeeper’s agreement with the club expires in the summer of 2026 and a decision must be made in one direction or the other.

The path to the extension had actually already been taken weeks ago, almost to the finish line. An agreement that in addition to two more years of contract included an increase in the current salary, set at €3.5m net per season plus personal bonuses linked to performance.

Because of the less brilliant version seen recently, that same agreement was called into question again as the performances no longer justified the expense. Milan could instead make a profit from a possible sale of Maignan given that he cost just €13m back in 2021.

Today his value has grown, practically tripled: despite being on the threshold of 30 years old, he would not leave for less than €35m. It is at the end of the season that the decision will be made and also in this case it will be the pitch that will issue the verdict.

To remain Rossoneri, Mike will have to give new demonstrations of reliability: the European climb depends on his saves too. Otherwise, a new chapter will be yet to be written.