Chelsea ‘considering making transfer offer for international keeper’ with Edouard Mendy poised for Saudi move
CHELSEA are lining up a move for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan, according to reports.
The Blues are set to sell Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli as he prepares to join former team-mates Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante in Saudi Arabia.
It leaves Mauricio Pochettino with Kepa Arrizabalaga – who got married over the weekend – as his only experienced shot-stopper heading into the new season – with Gabriel Slonina yet to feature since moving from the MLS.
According to The Telegraph, Poch is happy to head into the 2023/24 campaign with Kepa as his No1 in between the sticks.
But they are still “considering” a move for Maignan – who is one of the most highly-rated keepers in European football.
The Frenchman, 27, was named in the Serie A Team of the Season at the end of 2021/22.
And he has taken over France’s No1 spot from Hugo Lloris after the Tottenham keeper retired from international football.
Maignan won the scudetto with AC Milan 12 months ago and helped them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
He is under contract until 2026 – so Chelsea will have to stump up a considerable fee if they are to steal him away from the Italian giants.
But a keeper remains one of three priorities for them in the transfer window along with a central midfielder and striker.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
They are closing in on a £30million deal for Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson – who scored nine goals in the final eight games of the LaLiga campaign.
And Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is the other name they have in their sights.
However, it is understood the Blues are not prepared to meet Brighton’s £80m price tag – with Man Utd also in the hunt for the Ecuadorian.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football