Pochettino forced into rethink as Chelsea given short shrift after enquiry to sign top Serie A stopper
Chelsea have seemingly been given a firm no after enquiring about the availability of a top Serie A goalkeeper, as Mauricio Pochettino looks for a new No.1 this summer.
Both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy are expected to be sold if suitable offers come in the pair as Pochettino looks to put his own stamp on the Blues squad.
Senegalese international Mendy enjoyed an excellent first season with the Blues, helping them win the Champions League. However, he lost his place this season to Kepa, only for the Spaniard to ultimately underwhelm and make numerous errors.
That has led to Pochettinho targeting a new keeper, as well as a midfielder and a striker as looks to bolster the spine of his new side.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as well as Brentford keeper David Raya. However, they have also enquired about AC Milan star Mike Maignan.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Stamford Bridge bosses have initiated contact with Milan over Maignan, who enjoyed a superb second half of the season after recovering from injury.
There are also reports that the France international might have become disillusioned at the San Siro following the sacking of technical director Paolo Maldini, with the keeper posting two photos of himself alongside the Milan legend on Instagram with the words ‘Sempre Milan. which translates to ‘Always Milan’, accompanied by a question mark and ‘eyes’ emoji.
Maldini had been in discussions with the agent of the 27-year-old over a new deal, but that’s now been put on hold after the Italian’s exit.
Milan standing firm over Maignan
However, Milan’s hierarchy have no intention of letting one of their top players move on and will rebuff any Chelsea interest.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano it is ‘absolutely impossible’ for Milan to even consider selling Maignan for a rumoured €45million (£38.5m) fee. Indeed, it would take an offer in excess of €60m (£51m) for them to even consider a sale.
Milan only paid around £13m for Maignan when they signed him from Lille in 2021, and he’s proved to be outstanding value every since.
He has also succeeded French legend Hugo Lloris as the national team’s No.1 and helped Milan win their first Scudetto in years in his first campaign with the club.
To that end, it looks as if Pochettino and Chelsea will have to look elsewhere for a new first-choice keeper.
