Mike Maignan’s impact this season shows up in three key moments, each in a different big match. The instinctive stop on Gatti against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, the penalty saved from Dybala in the win over Roma, and the penalty denied to Calhanoglu in the derby against Inter on Sunday night. These moments show a decisive player who now wears the Milan armband. This is why the club wants to make a new effort to keep him.
Change
Last season was poor for Maignan, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning. Several mistakes stayed in the memory, especially the one against Feyenoord, and these errors helped stall renewal talks that had been progressing well. Allegri convinced him to stay this summer, he received the captaincy, and he started working under goalkeeping coach Claudio Filippi. The effect is clear. His performances are decisive again, similar to the early phase of his Milan spell.
Try again
A win like the derby, and the way it came, made it inevitable to reopen talks over his renewal. Negotiations stopped late last winter when the club pulled back from an offer that was close to sealing the extension. Today the club wants to return to that position and try to convince him again with the withdrawn 5 million euro offer. This is a significant amount given his age and his current salary of 3.2 million. The truth is that change looks tough, yet not impossible, especially if Milan’s season continues on this strong path. Interest is already active. Both Premier League clubs and Juventus are tracking the Milan captain.
