Sky journalist gives positive Maignan contract update: “I think he’s gained the desire”

Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano believes that Mike Maignan is open to renewing with AC Milan now, having regained his smile.

A few weeks ago it seemed as though Milan had backed themselves into a corner with regards to Maignan’s future. Having verbally put forward an offer earlier in the year and then pulled it from the table, everything pointed towards the Frenchman departing in the summer or in 2026.

Yet, more recently there seems to be a more optimistic spin on the future of Maignan, with suggestions that he might well be open to extending his stay at the club. This must of course be transformed from hopes into pen on paper, but there does seem to have been a thaw.

‘Thinking carefully about what to do’

Di Stefano spoke exclusively to MilanNews about a number of topics related to Milan’s planning for the future, and he shared some details on where things currently stand with Maignan.

“Maignan wanted to leave. He probably didn’t even have the pleasure of continuing his adventure at Milan after the broken promises and misunderstandings with the club. Allegri brought back his smile, kept the captain’s armband, and made a pact to get to the end of the season,” he said.

Photo by AC Milan

“And I think that today, day after day, training session after training session, if Maignan initially was ‘No, I won’t renew’ now I think he’s gained the desire. The crowds return to the stadium, the results, you live in Milan, you’re captain of a historic club, the project is credible, as it always has been, except for last season.

“Otherwise, Maignan has had a great time at Milan, but Allegri gave a different mentality. And I repeat, when you play for Milan, it’s difficult to return to Milan. Living in Milan, being captain of a historic club like Milan that has won seven Champions Leagues, you go out into the world and they know you and recognise you. You’re a symbol.

“I think Maignan is thinking carefully about what to do. Today, I see him predisposed differently. The will, if there were any openness from the club, is to renew. There’s no a priori ‘no’. But there must be a concrete, strong offer from Milan. Strategic errors sometimes pay.

“Today, Milan will have to spend more to renew Maignan than they promised a year ago, but I hope they understand that renewing Maignan would be a huge boost in the confidence that the people would give this club. With just one move, just one signature, you would earn the people’s trust.”