Negotiations stalled between the French goalkeeper and the Rossoneri: he had already been tempted by Chelsea and Bayern, and now Torino will try to move early ahead of the summer, when he will become one of the most sought-after free agents.
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Juventus are carefully evaluating the market opportunities that could shape their future, and at the top of the list of potential reinforcements stands the name of Mike Maignan.
The French goalkeeper, currently at AC Milan, has emerged as one of the most intriguing figures in European football due to his contract situation and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at San Siro. For the Bianconeri, the possibility of signing him on a free transfer is particularly attractive, especially at a time when the club is restructuring its sporting project under the joint leadership of Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli.
Maignan is not just another name on the list. At 30 years old, he has already established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the world. Since arriving in Serie A in 2021, he has been the cornerstone of Stefano Pioli’s Milan side, helping the Rossoneri end their long wait for a league title in 2022. His experience extends beyond Italian football: before his move, he was a central figure in Lille’s incredible 2021 Ligue 1 triumph, a season in which he shared the dressing room with Canadian striker Jonathan David, who has since joined Juventus as the first marquee signing of the Chiellini-Comolli era. This link between past and present highlights how Juventus are intent on building a core of players with proven winning mentality and strong international experience.
Maignan’s importance also goes well beyond club football. He is the first-choice goalkeeper for Didier Deschamps’ French national team, a role that carries prestige and responsibility given France’s status as one of the strongest sides in world football. His performances for Les Bleus have further underlined his reputation as a leader with composure, athleticism, and tactical intelligence, all qualities that would make him a perfect fit for a Juventus squad looking to re-establish itself at the very top of European competition.
The situation at Milan, however, remains complicated. Negotiations over a contract renewal have been at a standstill for months, and the signals from both the player’s camp and the club suggest a parting of ways is becoming increasingly likely. Maignan, who currently earns around €2.8 million per season while benefiting from Italy’s Growth Decree tax incentives, is reportedly seeking a salary more in line with his status as an elite international goalkeeper. Milan, on the other hand, appear reluctant to meet those demands, especially at a time when the club is prioritizing other investments.
Juventus are not the only club keeping a close eye on the situation. Chelsea, who have struggled for stability between the posts in recent years, attempted to lure Maignan last summer, but Massimiliano Allegri himself is said to have blocked the transfer, insisting on keeping him in Serie A. Bayern Munich have also entered the conversation, exploring Maignan as a long-term replacement in their own rebuilding process. The competition highlights just how valuable the Frenchman has become on the European stage.
Despite the strong interest from abroad, Juventus believe they hold a unique advantage. Turin offers Maignan the chance to remain in Italy, where he has already adapted both professionally and personally, while simultaneously taking on a new challenge at another historic club. The Bianconeri are also well aware of the symbolic value of signing a player who, at Milan, successfully filled the void left by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bringing Maignan to Turin would not only strengthen Juventus but also weaken a direct rival in Serie A.
From a sporting perspective, the deal could be transformative. Juventus are entering a transitional phase, with Chiellini and Comolli tasked with modernizing the squad while maintaining the competitive DNA that has always defined the club. Adding Maignan would provide immediate leadership in the dressing room and consistency in a role that remains fundamental for any team with ambitions of winning titles. His shot-stopping, reflexes, and ability to command the penalty area have already proven decisive on countless occasions, the most recent being his brilliant save against Federico Gatti at the Allianz Stadium, an intervention that caught the attention of Juventus’ directors in the stands.
Timing, however, will be crucial. While October is not the period for formal negotiations, Juventus have already begun preliminary evaluations to determine the financial feasibility of the operation. Much will depend on Maignan’s final decision and his salary expectations, but the Bianconeri are preparing themselves to act quickly once the transfer window approaches. If Milan fail to secure a contract renewal, Maignan will become one of the most sought-after free agents of 2026, with the freedom to sign a pre-contract agreement as early as January.
In the past, top-level free agents often had their futures resolved by the start of the calendar year, but the market has changed in recent seasons. Players are increasingly willing to wait until the summer to weigh all their options, as seen in the case of Jonathan David, who, despite being courted by half of Europe, only finalized his move to Juventus in July. Maignan’s case could follow a similar path, with the goalkeeper carefully considering not only the financial side but also the sporting project, the competitiveness of the league, and his personal ambitions.
For Juventus, the opportunity is clear: acquiring an international-caliber goalkeeper, still at the peak of his career, without paying a transfer fee, would represent both a sporting coup and a financial masterstroke. But with Chelsea and Bayern lurking, and Milan unlikely to give up without a fight, the road to bringing Maignan to Turin will be long and complex. What is certain is that, as the new season unfolds, his name will remain firmly at the center of the European transfer market conversation.
Updated: 09:25, 10 Oct 2025
