Chelsea drop Maignan pursuit as Club World Cup deadline derails transfer

Registration deadline forces strategic rethink

Chelsea have abandoned their move for Mike Maignan after realising that the deal could not be completed before the squad submission deadline for the FIFA Club World Cup. Talks with AC Milan stalled as timing issues became increasingly problematic, leaving Chelsea with little room to manoeuvre before finalising their tournament roster.

Failed bids and unmet expectations

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea initially submitted a bid of £15 million, which was rejected outright. They then increased their offer to £18 million, still falling short of Milan’s £21 million valuation. The London club had hoped that Maignan’s interest in a move to the Premier League would influence Milan’s stance—but this leverage never materialised.

Romano: “World Cup bonus premium was a deal-breaker”

Fabrizio Romano reports that negotiations between the two clubs have now been fully suspended. Chelsea viewed Milan’s rising asking price as a “Club World Cup premium” and were unwilling to proceed under inflated financial conditions dictated by tournament timing.

Goalkeeper rotation remains intact

With Maignan off the table, Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen are expected to compete for the starting spot during the Club World Cup. Mike Penders, a promising 19-year-old recruit from Genk, is also in consideration and could make his senior debut.

Why Chelsea wanted Maignan in the first place

Chelsea’s pursuit of Maignan was part of a wider plan to stabilise their goalkeeping department. Kepa Arrizabalaga is not expected to return following his loan spell at Bournemouth, and Robert Sánchez endured a season marred by fitness issues and erratic performances. While Filip Jörgensen gained his first year of experience in English football, he remains an unproven option under sustained pressure—especially for a club with European ambitions.

Maignan, by contrast, brought Champions League experience and a track record of consistency at the highest level. His ability to organise the defence and read the game made him a highly suitable candidate within Enzo Maresca’s evolving tactical setup.

Milan refuse to sell: Offers rejected despite poor season

Despite Chelsea’s offers, AC Milan refused to sell Mike Maignan. The club finished eighth in Serie A and failed to qualify for any European competition, but still rejected both bids and insisted on their asking price.

Maignan’s profile: More than just a shot-stopper

Maignan’s 2024–25 numbers tell a deeper story. He made 53 appearances across all competitions for AC Milan, kept 15 clean sheets, and conceded 59 goals. He ranked in the top tier of Serie A goalkeepers in terms of save percentage and post-shot xG differential. His command of aerial balls and shot-stopping reliability stood out throughout the season.

Club World Cup regulations create complexity

The FIFA Club World Cup requires clubs to submit final squad lists weeks before the tournament begins. Only a narrow window—between 27 June and 3 July—is available for changes, and even then, only for clubs that reach the semi-finals. These structural constraints placed Chelsea in a corner, forcing them to choose between squad continuity and risking a late, rushed
transfer.

Late window could reopen transfer chance

If Chelsea progress to the semi-finals, they will have a short opportunity to make one or two adjustments. Maignan, or another elite-level reinforcement, could still be registered under FIFA’s conditional change rules. However, this scenario depends entirely on Chelsea’s early tournament form—and the club may not want to wait on contingencies in such a high-stakes competition.