Chelsea target 'close to signing £5m contract' as transfer saga finally set to end

New reports from Italy have suggested the end of a long-winded saga involving AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is now close, following various links to Chelsea

Chelsea transfer target Mike Maignan is reportedly set to renew terms and sign a five-year contract with AC Milan, truly bringing an end to any Stamford Bridge links.

As reported by football.london last summer, Maignan was one of several goalkeeper targets for Chelsea heading into the FIFA Club World Cup. As the 30-year-old was entering the final final year of his contact at San Siro, they believed a cut-price deal was possible.

Talks started with Milan, who demanded no less than £25m, which ended up with the Blues walking away from negotiations and a deal never taking place.

In late November, Italian outlets reported the reopening of club-to-club discussions ahead of the current transfer window.

Even though admiration in the player still existed, football.london understood this to not be the case.

Now with the Frenchman into the final six months of his Milan contract, the next major update has arrived.

According to Sky Sports Italy's Gianluca Di Marzio, Maignan is 'very close' to renewing terms to ultimately stay with his current club.

This would mark a major U-turn from a goalkeeper previously thought to be ready to leave Italy for the Premier League or beyond.

Maignan signing a new deal would put to bed any rumours of a Chelsea transfer either this month or as a free agent during the next summer window.

As the player is in the final six months of his current deal with Milan, he is technically allowed to negotiate a pre-agreement for a free agent's move.

But it would appear Maignan has chosen to sign a fresh deal to stay as Milan captain through to 2031, which is reportedly set to earn him €5.7m (£4.9m) per season.

Meanwhile at Stamford Bridge, football.london reported Chelsea's decision back in October to not sign a new goalkeeper midway through the current season.

The Blues were more than happy with their options as Robert Sanchez has been the undisputed No.1 in west London, whilst Filip Jorgensen has acted as his understudy.

But the situation has evolved over the past week as Enzo Maresca exited the club, and has been replaced as manager by Liam Rosenior.

The new boss watched from the stands as Chelsea lost away to Fulham on Wednesday night, with Calum McFarlane taking stewardship of the squad as he had done days before for the Blues' draw at Manchester City.

In those two matches, Jorgensen was handed a rare start against Pep Guardiola's side due to Sanchez dealing with an injury. However, the Spaniard quickly overcame the issue and was reinstated for the defeat at Craven Cottage.

Rosenior is yet to give an indicator which goalkeeper he will name as his first-choice, having only entered the club late as McFarlane and his staff undertook preparations for Fulham.