Ligue 1 transfer expert Jonathan Johnson has claimed that Mike Maignan is of interest to a number of clubs in view of the summer window, including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
It didn’t go unnoticed by anyone that the 2023-24 season was far from perfect for Maignan. He may have avoided serious injuries but he still missed nine games, yet the main issue was without a doubt the performance level.
Milan must be convinced regarding a renewal too, because Maignan is likely to command a big pay rise to extend. Indeed, as we reported earlier in the week, the Rossoneri are now seriously considering parting ways with the goalkeeper and a clear plan has been drafted.
Now, Jonathan Johnson has provided his take on Maignan’s Milan future in CaughtOffside’s Daily Briefing. He confirmed that some top teams around Europe want him, and he might return to his old club.
“AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan is a player of interest to a number of top European clubs at the moment,” he said.
“There have been some links with Manchester City as a potential replacement for Ederson, while my understanding is that PSG have also been looking at his situation potentially with a view to bringing him back at some point in the future.
“There are big questions about Gianluigi Donnarumma in terms of whether he’s really the right fit for Luis Enrique’s style of play, and there is an expectation that PSG will complete one of their first signings of the summer with Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to provide competition for Donnarumma. It will be interesting to see, if that does get completed, what that might mean for Donnarumma for the long term.
“I certainly think a move for someone like Maignan would be interesting as well because it might then mean PSG are tempted to consider offers for Donnarumma, who might then be an option to replace Ederson at Man City.
“He might not be the best fit for Pep Guardiola, but then there are questions about his future as well, and where he sees himself, and PSG have historically had an interest in Bernardo Silva as well, so perhaps there’s a deal to be done there.
“City, of course, have a very talented backup goalkeeper in Stefan Ortega, so it’s probably a situation where Maignan would want guarantees that he’d be the first choice and undisputed starter, especially as he’s now number one for Les Bleus as well.
“So I think that would be a prerequisite before any club comes in, and given that he’s one of Milan’s top players, it’s difficult to see them not asking for a significant transfer fee in the region of €50m, given that he’s one of the top talents on the goalkeeping market.
“It’s an interesting story, and one to keep an eye on, but it’s not necessarily one I’m convinced will end up leading to Maignan joining City.”