Chelsea rejected by Mike Maignan as talks opened over Brighton signing

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has reportedly decided he does not want to join Chelsea this summer as he wants to play Champions League football. The France international shot-stopper has developed an admirable reputation in the past few seasons having won both the Ligue 1 title with Lille before lifting the Scudetto with AC Milan in 2022 following a remarkable debut season in Italy.

Maignan has continued to perform consistently and was integral for the Rossoneri as they reached this season’s Champions League semi-finals before also securing a top-four finish in Serie A.

Additionally, he is now set to become France’s first-choice national team goalkeeper after Hugo Lloris called time on his international career.

That’s why it comes as no surprise that Chelsea and Tottenham are both interested in signing Maignan this summer but it appears he has no desire to join the Blues.

According to Foot Mercato, Maignan has snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge meaning Chelsea will have to explore alternative goalkeeper targets.

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Mauricio Pochettino is believed to have added Maignan to his initial shortlist alongside Inter Milan No 1 Andre Onana, who shone with his passing ability during the Champions League final defeat to Man City in Istanbul on Saturday.

Onana is also attracting interest from Manchester United but has already made it clear he is happy at Inter following a fine debut season at San Siro.

Meanwhile, Gianluca Di Marzio is now reporting that Chelsea have begun negotiations with Brighton over a deal for Robert Sanchez.

The Spaniard had been Roberto De Zerbi’s first-choice goalkeeper this season before losing his place to Jason Steele.

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Instead of knuckling down, Sanchez made it clear he did not wish to be included in Brighton’s match-day squads to face Newcastle and Arsenal.

He is now heading for the exit door and Brighton have previously received interest from rival Premier League clubs as they seek to generate some cash via his exit.

There is talk that Chelsea could yet sign two goalkeepers this summer as part of Pochettino’s rebuild.

Kepa Arrizabalaga could yet stay but Edouard Mendy looks almost certain to leave.

Mendy had been No 1 in west London before losing his place to Kepa when he was forced to undergo surgery on a fractured finger.

The Senegal international has failed to reach an agreement over a new contract and Inter are thought to be interested among some other teams from Europe.

The signing of a new goalkeeper is thought to be one of Chelsea’s priorities this summer but first there is added focus on player sales.

That’s because Chelsea are one of several clubs currently on UEFA’s Financial Fair Play watchlist after spending well over £600million on arrivals in the past two transfer windows.

Chelsea are set to hold a meeting with Inter over the potential sales of Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah in the coming days and weeks.

It’s believed they will also officially register their interest in Onana during those discussions.

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