It is always wise to remain prudent and cautious until the moment the contracts are signed, but the news that has emerged in recent weeks has described a clear reversal of trend regarding the direction the issue of Mike Maignan’s contract renewal had been taking. The story is now well known: during last season, Mike and the club reached a general agreement on an extension, but the signatures never arrived, as at Casa Milan the decision was made to step back when everything seemed to be done.
From there came the possibility, last summer, for Maignan to leave Milan.
The goalkeeper appeared to be in Chelsea’s orbit, but the London club’s offer did not satisfy Milan, in addition to the great mediation work carried out by Allegri and Tare in convincing the goalkeeper to stay at Milanello at least for this season. The Frenchman, considered by everyone to be a top-level player, is also well liked in the dressing room. Not by chance, he is the team captain.
Allegri and his staff, in particular fitness coach Claudio Lippi, did a strong job of persuasion. With Max, Milan’s sporting project seems to have a very clear direction after the dangerous wobbles of recent months, and calm has returned to Milanello. The team is working well and hard, and the results on the pitch confirm it. Milan have closed the first half of the season, with one match still to be made up, in second place, three points behind the top. Maignan has been one of the main protagonists of this sudden growth with his saves, decisive ones in the derby on Calhanoglu and on Dybala against Roma. Mike has returned to being "Magic" after a few too many uncertainties in recent months.
And now he has given his approval to stay. He will become one of the highest-paid players in the squad alongside Rafa Leao, an important recognition that shows how fundamental Milan consider both his technical level and his leadership. What is missing to put everything down in black and white and finally reach, a year later, the long-awaited signatures? According to Milan News have learned that in the coming days, very shortly, there will be a meeting with the goalkeeper’s agent to define the commissions and finalize the operation in its entirety. Only after this final important approval will the official statements and announcements arrive.
