Chelsea Weigh January Move for Mike Maignan After Sanchez Red

The club is exploring a pre-contract route opened by the AC Milan goalkeeper’s 2026 contract.

Overview

Robert Sanchez was sent off five minutes into the match at Old Trafford for a challenge on Bryan Mbeumo, and the VAR review upheld the red card.
Enzo Maresca introduced Filip Jorgensen in goal and reshaped the back line, with Sanchez expected to miss only the Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City.
Chelsea explored Maignan in June but did not meet AC Milan’s reported £25 million valuation, so no agreement was reached.
With foreign clubs permitted to discuss terms from January under Bosman rules, reports say Chelsea could pursue a pre-contract or a cut-price summer deal.
Maignan is portrayed as a strong stylistic fit for Maresca’s build-from-the-back approach, while alternatives including Emiliano Martínez, Bart Verbruggen, Anatoliy Trubin and Giorgi Mamardashvili are also being considered.