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CHELSEA PLANS PRE-CONTRACT OFFER FOR MIKE MAIGNAN

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are targeting AC Milan's Mike Maignan. The world-class goalkeeper is stalling on a new contract, potentially allowing a free transfer in 2026 as both clubs seek a long-term #1.

Chelsea Plans Pre-Contract Offer For Mike Maignan
Blues Preparing January Pre-Contract For Mike Maignan - Photo Credit: Getty Images

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly planning offers to recruit AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

As the French international nears the end of his contract at the San Siro, both European powerhouses are reportedly keeping a careful eye on his condition.

Many people consider Maignan, who is currently 30 years old, to be among the top goalkeepers in football.

He is a vital member of the team and the nation because of his poise, quick thinking, and leadership in between positions.

The Chelsea target refuses to sign a new contract with AC Milan.
But Milan will have to fight hard to maintain their number one spot. Negotiations to extend the Frenchman's contract, which is set to expire in June 2026, have apparently halted.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan's sporting direction and pay demands have proven to be major roadblocks in Maignan's unwillingness to commit to a new contract.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea are also patiently awaiting the outcome.


Maignan will have the option to negotiate a pre-contract agreement as early as January 2026 if he declines to extend, opening the door for a potentially historic free move the following summer.

Chelsea's pursuit of Maignan coincides with ongoing concern surrounding the team's goalkeeping staff.

Due to Robert Sanchez's inconsistent play, manager Enzo Maresca is looking for a more seasoned and dominant goalkeeper.

Maignan is the ideal choice to provide stability to a team that is still changing because of his demonstrated success in the Champions League and Serie A.

Bayern Munich are standing in Chelsea's way of signing Maignan.


Meanwhile, Maignan is seen by Bayern Munich as the perfect replacement for Manuel Neuer, whose illustrious tenure in Bavaria is coming to an end.

According to sources, Bayern's scouts have written excellent evaluations of Maignan, noting that he possesses the same distribution, communication, and defensive line organisation skills as Neuer did in his prime.

Maignan's profile on the global scene has also increased as a result of his exploits for France under Didier Deschamps.

It is unlikely that AC Milan will be able to retain him. Due to the club's financial situation, it is challenging to match the salaries offered by Europe's top teams; Chelsea and Bayern are both willing to provide contracts that are significantly more profitable than Milan's.

WHY WAS COLE PALMER SUBBED? THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE STAMFORD BRIDGE BOOS

Fans booed as Cole Palmer was subbed in Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth. Learn why Maresca was absent and what’s next for the Blues.

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Managing Cole Palmer’s return

After Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth, assistant coach Willy Caballero defended the choice to sub off Cole Palmer, even though fans at Stamford Bridge were angry about Enzo Maresca's move.

Fans booed, yelling, You don't know what you're doing! when Palmer—who'd been one of the team's better players—was taken out in the 63rd minute. The home team was trying to score and break their bad Premier League streak at the time.

Chelsea has only won one of their last seven league games. Caballero said afterward that head coach Enzo Maresca, who wasn't there for the post-game interviews due to illness, is still a role model for everyone at the club.

Still, the pressure is on the coach after yet another result slipped away. Chelsea has now lost 13 points at home from winning positions.

The mood got especially sour when Palmer, who just came back from an injury, was taken off in the second half.

Every fan wants the best players on the field, Caballero said. We do, too. But Cole is coming back from a long injury. So we have to figure out the best substitutions to win the game while also keeping our players healthy. We need them for the entire season.

Caballero said about Maresca's absence, "He hasn't been feeling well for the past two days." He had a fever two days ago. He did the last two practices because he wanted to get the team ready. But after the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in because he wasn't feeling well.

He's handling it well and is very professional. He puts in a lot of hours every day, even when he wasn't feeling well the last two days. He loves to train and coach. He's a role model for me and the rest of the staff.

Bournemouth took the lead after six minutes when David Brooks scored on his second try after Robert Sanchez made a save. Then, Palmer scored a penalty to tie the game for Chelsea.

Next, Enzo Fernandez put the home team ahead, but the Blues couldn't hold on to their lead again. Justin Kluivert tied the score before halftime after Chelsea failed to handle a long throw-in from Antoine Semenyo.

There's been a lot of talk that this would be Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before he moves to Manchester City soon. Before leaving the field, he seemed to say goodbye to the fans who had traveled to see the game.

Still, head coach Andoni Iraola was sure he'd play against Arsenal on Saturday.

It's not his last game here with us, he said. I can't say for sure, but I think he'll play.

He needs to rest. We've played two tough games in three days. We have Arsenal at home, so we're getting ready for another one, a tough game against the leaders. He's going to be important for us.

BREAKING: ENZO MARESCA SKIPS MEDIA AS CHELSEA CRISIS DEEPENS! GET THE HEALTH UPDATE

Enzo Maresca missed the post-match media due to a fever after Chelsea's 2-2 draw. Willy Caballero provides an urgent update on his health.

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Chelsea's winless run continues as Maresca falls ill

Enzo Maresca skipped media interviews after Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth because he was sick.

The Blues coach was supposed to chat after his team snagged a point against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

But right before he was about to talk about the game, news dropped that Maresca wasn't feeling good.

So, his assistant, Willy Caballero, stepped in to handle things in west London.

Caballero shared an update on Maresca: He's been under the weather for a couple of days, Caballero said. He had a fever two days ago.

After the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in for him since he wasn't feeling well.

Caballero was asked if he'd be in charge against Manchester City on Sunday, like he was against Villa during Maresca's suspension.

"I'm not sure," he said. I just want Enzo to get better. I think he'll be fine in a day or two.

The draw with Bournemouth means Chelsea has only won one of their last seven Premier League games.

Fans were clearly annoyed during the second half when Cole Palmer was subbed out for Joao Pedro.

Palmer just got back to playing regularly after a groin injury, but some Chelsea fans wondered why he was taken out.

About the boos, Caballero said, "Of course, every fan wants their best players on the field, and so do we."

But Cole is coming off a long injury, so we have to figure out the right subs for the game and also look out for our players since we didn't have him for a while.

Chelsea and Bournemouth had a boring 0-0 draw in their previous match earlier in the month.

But the game at Stamford Bridge was totally different, with Bournemouth taking the lead early on through David Brooks.

Palmer leveled the score with a penalty, and then Enzo Fernandez blasted a shot into the top corner to put Chelsea ahead.

But Chelsea failed to defend a long throw for the second time, allowing Justin Kluivert to score for Bournemouth.

After playing City, Chelsea will face their west London rivals Fulham before an FA Cup game away against Charlton Athletic.

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