With the renewal of Rafael Leao seemingly in the bag and to be announced soon, the AC Milan management have shifted focus to another key contract extension.
As reported this morning by La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below), Gianluigi Donnarumma’s farewell in the summer of 2021 raised eyebrows, especially when the decision was made to spend €13m on his replacement Mike Maignan.
However, it did not take long for Maignan to demonstrate his qualities and quickly become a fan favourite, with the Frenchman having become a fundamental element of Stefano Pioli’s team and helping them win the Scudetto.
For this reason, the management are thinking of securing his long-term future as soon as possible with a contract extension and a pay rise.
Currently Maignan has an agreement with Milan until 2026 at €2.8m net per season, but to stop any top European clubs club from coming forward in the summer, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara intend to begin talks over a renewal.
The aim is to push the deadline back by a couple of years – therefore until 2028 – and above all to increase his salary up to at least €4m net. It is a well-deserved salary increase given that the France international has been decisive in each of his first two seasons.
After Leao, who will sign in the next few hours, Milan’s goal is to do the same with Maignan and fully protect the core of the future.
Erm…. Leao hasn’t actually renewed yet….