AC Milan, back in the Scudetto race, and Max Allegri, his foremost supporter, have blocked Mike Maignan’s desire to test himself elsewhere and have pushed back interest from foreign rivals. Maignan is more committed to Milan than ever, a true captain who fights for the team and puts himself on the front line to defend the group. That is why Mike is ready to accept the contract renewal offer presented by the club: €5 million per season plus bonuses until the summer of 2030, an agreement that would make Maignan the highest-paid player in the squad alongside Leao. A significant reward, acknowledging his leadership role and the strong growth in his performances. Today Mike earns €2.8 million per year; after turning thirty, he would effectively double his salary.
The commissions issue
It is rare to find teams where the highest earners are the goalkeeper and the number 10, usually those who score earn more than those who prevent goals. There remains, however, one final issue to resolve to close the deal: the commissions requested by the agents. These are substantial figures, since Mike, whose contract expires in June, would already be free to negotiate with other clubs, allowing his representatives to collect significant sums as interested teams would not need to pay a transfer fee. This will be the subject of an imminent meeting with the Rossoneri management. If resolved quickly, the drafting and signing of the contracts could follow without delay. Otherwise, more time will be needed, which could untangle the situation or make it even more complicated. In the past, this issue has hindered the successful completion of other deals.
Relations between the parties remain relaxed, and Milan too, having already received the French goalkeeper’s approval, considers the commissions issue inevitable. It is also legitimate from Maignan’s camp, which in recent months has received several calls from abroad. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and even Juventus, Italian prefix this time, are among the clubs that would have been happy to welcome the player in the event of a free transfer. Negotiations with Milan had meanwhile stalled, but talks resumed following Maignan’s outstanding performances, which Allegri and his staff have helped restore to previous levels. In fact, Allegri himself has acknowledged the merits of goalkeeping coach Filippi. It is the coach, however, who has spoken up to the management: rebuilding an ambitious Milan cannot happen without keeping their great goalkeeper.
Allegri the sponsor...
Allegri is pragmatic and values clear definitions of roles and responsibilities, but he made an exception for Mike, stepping outside the usual boundaries. He personally worked to ensure the Frenchman’s stay. Maignan has repaid him with outstanding performances and the spirit of a true captain, putting his experience at the service of the group and committing himself to building a united team. In 21 matches this season he has conceded 17 goals, keeping 10 clean sheets. Mike has obviously played his part. His average league rating is 6.5, with two penalty saves that have had a major impact on results, both his own and the team’s. The stops against Calhanoglu and Dybala highlighted his reflexes and allowed Milan to win two high-level matches.
Winning is Mike’s sporting obsession. He had lost confidence in the team’s ambitions, which was understandable after last season’s difficulties. This year, however, he has found renewed momentum. The French contingent of Rabiot, Nkunku, and Fofana, the presence of other champions such as Modric, and the guidance of a coach with great charisma like Allegri have done the rest. Today Maignan feels involved and fully engaged, a feeling that on the pitch fuels his performances, as relayed via La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Beyond the saves, there is also the captain’s role, which involves defending the group even away from the goalmouth. This was evident, for example, two nights ago after the late penalty awarded to Genoa. Having heard Bartesaghi’s account, who swore he had not committed the foul, Mike confronted referee Mariani. Did he insult him? From the images and the audio, it does not appear so. DAZN France, whose account sparked the controversy, later clarified the situation. There are in fact two clips: in the first, thanks to footage from the camera placed on the referee’s earpiece, the captain is seen addressing Mariani and asking to be considered the only Rossoneri interlocutor. The second shows Maignan, as he leaves the pitch, letting an insult slip. However, this recording refers to several minutes later and cannot be directly linked to what happened earlier.
