Even if AC Milan were to offer Mike Maignan a significant salary increase, the goalkeeper’s demands would still be too high…
Tick-thanks, tick-thanks… The hours and days go by, and in just over two weeks, many quality players can negotiate freely with the clubs they want. The 2026 season promises to be particularly interesting for free agents, not least for French internationals – with players such as Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and Mike Maignan becoming out of contract in June.
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As for the Milan goalkeeper, who continues to deliver strong performances between the sticks for the Lombard club, there is a real rush. While the Rossoneri management wants to avoid another “Donnarumma case” – still traumatised by the Italian’s departure – Mike Maignan is being coveted by several big clubs. In recent weeks, there has been clear interest from Bayern Munich and Chelsea, among others.
AC Milan will make an effort, but…
La Gazzetta dello Sport has provided new information through several articles this weekend. First of all, we learn – without any big surprises – that Milan want to do everything possible to keep the former Lille player, and that the club is willing to offer him €5 million net per season, plus bonuses. This will be a significant salary increase that will almost double his earnings, as he currently earns around 2,8 million euros.
Is that enough to persuade the 30-year-old goalkeeper? Hardly.
Despite Milan’s efforts, Maignan’s social circle expects a claim of around 8 million euros. Such a sum would make him one of the world’s highest-paid goalkeepers – ahead of, for example, Thibaut Courtois in Madrid, who earns around €15 million gross (although it is difficult to compare salaries directly across countries due to different tax models).
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It must be said that the market for free agents facilitates such negotiations, and the players do not hesitate to take advantage of the fact that clubs do not have to pay transfer fees to push for too high wages. Clubs like Chelsea and Bayern now know what they have to deal with.
