AC Milan have made their final offer to Mike Maignan to renew his contract, and now the time has come for a decision to be made.
La Gazzetta dello Sport begin a report by recalling that Maignan has made a few errors this season, and ones that proved to be costly. Yet more recently, the penalties saved for France in the match against Croatia and the saves on Kean, Beltran and Gudmundsson show he still has that ‘magic’.
After the 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, the goalkeeper himself said: “Magic Mike never left, as you know in life there can be ups and downs, and that’s what happens with a goalkeeper. I’ve never let myself go, a bad moment can happen but I’ve always tried to stay focused and confident in my work.”
A negotiation underway
In this phase of uncertainty, the negotiation for the renewal of the contract expiring in June 2026 has resumed. A basic agreement had been found in recent months, before a chain of errors: against Cagliari, Como, Juventus in the league, plus the one in the first leg against Feyenoord.
So, a slowdown followed. When he was in form, Mike had asked for the same contract as Leao to remain at the club, a request that was not granted. Maignan himself then scaled down his demands, but now the roles have been reversed.
The club are in a position of strength, and the extension proposal does not go beyond €4.5m net per season. His current salary is €3.5m: in any case a much richer offer. This is the final offer from Milan, in essence a ‘take it or leave it’ situation.
It is difficult to imagine that the terms will be reviewed but if Maignan signs, he will remain at Milan until 2028 or 2029, depending on the possibility of adding a further annual renewal option. Otherwise, in the summer, the club and the player’s agents could look around.
The future
A great finale will not allow the goalkeeper to make new demands. The club’s offer is now clear and in any case substantial. It is the final proposal: if Mike accepts the signature can arrive immediately.
The team of the future will be based on Tijjani Reijnders in midfield and Christian Pulisic in attack: with Maignan at his best and rewarded by a new contract they could have another pillar. After the great performance against Fiorentina, he gave little away.
“I feel good here, I give everything for the shirt, but I don’t want to talk about the contract. Milan and the fans deserve more. My personal situation is not the most important thing,” he said.
“We work every day always giving our best, I say this with great sincerity. In the future we will take the experience of this season and grow even more.”
At Milan for four seasons, Maignan has ended up in the crosshairs of criticism along with the other senators (Theo, Leao, Tomori) guilty of a below par season. There is still time, especially with the renewal, to return to being Magic Mike.
Anyone maxing out on salary cap has no future in this club.
Meanwhile, across the street, a supposedly bankrupt club are able to offer their star players 9 millions per season with no problem.
Marota does have a history of working outside of budget rules. Not for a second to I believe paratici was acting alone or engaging these practices exclusively after marota left.
Maignan should be sold. His decline is clear to see and he only has moments of brilliance that are very inconsistent. He is no Buffon.
Goalkeepers are the easiest players to replace and I don’t recall Milan ever having any world class goalkeepers in any era of the club’s winning cycles.
Time to say goodbye to Maignan, Theo, Tomori, Emerson, Chukwueze, Okafor, Thiaw, Florenzi, Salaemakers, RLC and Musah.
I forgot to add Terracciano, Adli and Pobega. These players are not good enough for a club with winning ambitions.
There are so many better players out there it is mind boggling how poor our scouting and recruitment has been in the last couple years.
Point is, there are no winning ambitions with this ownership. It’s participation and earning a quick buck of reselling players.
Totally agree
No optimistic news about this club since Redbird take it😔 lack of ambition to bring Milan back as a champion. Milan is better under Elliot which had Clear progress. Now Milan is really miserable
This is bad season for everyone. Next one will be definitely better, he needs to stay here . 5m is good enough for next 3 years. He is still one of the best GK in Europe, no. 1 in France
I agree it’s an a disastrous season but not the norm and especially considering the players we have we should do better next season
Yes , with better coach and better plan for new season we can be great even with Fofana 😀 it’s ok if we sell some players like Musah, Chukwueze or RLC, Tomori… but definitely not half of our starting 11 and then looking for some miracle’s players who don’t even know Seria A
Yes , with better coach and better plan for new season we can be great even with Fofana 😀 it’s ok if we sell some players like Musah, Chukwueze or RLC, Tomori… but definitely not half of our starting 11 and then looking for some miracle’s players who don’t even know Seria A