Surprise new name usurps Oblak, Onana as top Chelsea keeper target

Mike Maignan

Chelsea still plan to wrap up their summer spending by recruiting a new goalkeeper – and the name of Mike Maignan now appears top of their wanted list.

Having been unable to spend last summer due to a transfer ban, the Blues have already spent big this summer. The club have confirmed the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner for a combined £73.5million.

In the past week, Chelsea have also stepped up their pursuit of two other top targets. The west London side have agreed a deal in principle with Kai Havertz and look likely to sign Ben Chilwell.

Reports suggest a deal for Thiago Silva is already agreed, while Declan Rice could also sign in a huge raid on West Ham.

However, Blues boss Frank Lampard is also in the hunt for a new keeper. Doubts over the form of Kepa Arizzabalaga saw him dropped for Willy Caballero last season.

While Lampard hasn’t commented on the hunt for a new keeper, a plethora of names have been linked. The biggest of all these – Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak – comes with a giant price tag.

Another name mentioned is Ajax keeper Andre Onana. The Cameroonian has been cleared to leave this summer if anyone matches their €40m asking price.

Despite knowing he could move on though, that is likely more than Chelsea want to spend given their other huge outlays.

Instead, Sky Sports reports that a more modest name has entered their thinking – Lille keeper Mike Maignan.

The 25-year-old is likely to command a fee of around €30m (£27m), which is said to appeal to the Blues hierarchy.

 

Maignan has impressed for Lille in the season just finished. He has been capped by France at U21s level and has also been in their senior squad, though is yet to debut.

Maignan is seen as one of the game’s best shot-stoppers, though there remains question marks over his distribution.

However, for the price being quoted, he is reported to be very high on Chelsea’s wanted list. He could yet prove the long-term successor to Kepa in the Chelsea goal.

 

FREE AGENT POISED FOR CHELSEA SWITCH

Chelsea are also reportedly closing in on the signing of defender Malang Sarr on a four-year deal.

Malang Sarr TEAMtalk

The 21-year-old has been a free agent since rejecting a contract extension at Ligue 1 club Nice. He has since been targeted by a host of clubs across Europe, including several in France and Spain.

However, it would appear that the Blues have won the race for his signature. Indeed, Telefoot (via Get French Football) claims the player has agreed personal terms with the Blues over a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The report claims Chelsea plan to loan him out abroad next season.

Read more here…