Now that the January transfer window has closed, the AC Milan management can begin working on some crucial renewals including that of Mike Maignan.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) talks about how Maignan’s contract expires in 2026 and he is in his third season with the club, having proved himself to be one of the best in the world in his position.
In his first season he was decisive in winning the Scudetto, in the second a long injury kept him away from the pitch and he was missed dearly and this season he is showing his worth again, which is why the big teams in Europe are interested.
That is why the Milan management want to extend his deal, and the latest events have contributed to strengthening the relationship between the player and the club.
The Rossoneri strongly sided with Maignan after the events in Udine, they supported him in his battle and promoted initiatives to raise public awareness on the issue, which the goalkeeper appreciated.
He felt ‘protected and embraced’ as per the paper, and he underlined his pride in being part of the club. An excellent starting point: personal connection has an impact.
In addition to mutual affection and consideration, an economic agreement is needed. Maignan earns €3.2m net per season and to renew he is asking for about double that, in the €6-7m net per year range.
However, even though it would be quite a big pay rise, he does not want €8-10m as was initially thought. Asking for an adjustment to his salary remains legitimate due to the value that is recognised both by Milan but also other big clubs.
If he affects the team’s performance as much as Rafael Leao, with decisive saves and leadership, he will consequently be able to aspire to the same financial treatment.
Leao’s salary can reach €7m net with bonuses, making him the highest paid player in the squad today, so Mike doesn’t want to be outdone. The negotiation will only come to fruition in the next few weeks, once the winter transfer window is firmly behind us.
With a renewal, Maignan would be tied to Milan until the summer of 2028. The extension would give further strength to the club even if it were open to a hypothetical offer from Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
Financial sustainability requires some sacrifice, as long as it is well repaid and allows the club to reinvest the proceeds in an attempt to make the team increasingly competitive.
