In the patron saint sequence of AC Milan, the French goalkeeper Maignan is firmly in the starting position, and is highly respected by the club and fans, and the construction of the team atmosphere is also extremely cherished. Unfortunately, his performance this season has been a rollercoaster, with brilliant saves and injury troubles, and the long-term association with injuries has become a lingering haze.
According to Corriere della Sera, Maignan has suffered particularly physical challenges during his time with the Rossoneri, with three seasons and 39 games missing, almost a full season blank, in stark contrast to the almost unharmed form of the past in Lille, where the only major injury memory is back in 2015 with a shoulder injury. Pos Tierlo was reliable on the bench, but that needed to change. As Maignan enters a critical age in his career, Milan's goalkeeper's future is on the agenda. After missing a few games towards the end of the season, Maignan is focused on the European Championship and longs for a starring aura, but the partnership with Stefano Pioli could be put to the test.
Given the double-edged state of affairs – which is both an indispensable defence rock and plagued by health issues – the club's summer transfer window may be carefully considered for its stay, with the emergence of a good goalkeeper such as Monza's Angelo Di Gregorio providing room for manoeuvre. Of course, AC Milan are on a firm stance, and only a high offer matching Maignan's world-class status will be able to leverage the deal. Despite his bleak seasons and injuries, he's still the top guardian in football, and he's worth every bit of weight.
As for the contract extension, Maignan is approaching the age of 29 and has a current contract until the summer of 2026, and the current salary level (2.5 million euros) is far from commensurate with his status, especially given his status as one of the world's top goalkeepers. For months, contract renewal talks have revolved around a salary of at least the same salary as the team's star Rafael Leo (base 5.5 million, plus bonuses of up to 7.5 million), but so far it has not worked out. Milan's view of Leao as a special case and their cautious approach to the prevailing wage structure have stalled negotiations and the sale of Maignan at the right price could be on the agenda in the coming months if there is no real progress.
Milan have a price tag of €70 million to €80 million for Maignan. Just like Newcastle's offer for Sandro Tonali in one year, Milan were able to make capital gains from it and use the money to generate at least 3-4 important buyers.
Giants such as Bayern Munich are looking for a successor to Manuel Neuer, and Maignan is on the radar, while potential goalkeeper demand in the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain is also adding uncertainty to the transfer. Back in 2021, Milan brought in Maignan from Lille for only 16 million euros under the clever hands of Massara and Maldini, and now its future trends are becoming more and more interesting along with summer hot topics such as coach changes and central striker recruitment. With a three-year career full of injuries and a deadlock over a contract extension, Maignan's story is full of unknowns.