Chelsea are still interested in signing AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Blues were heavily with France’s no.1 before they snapped up Robert Sanchez from Brighton last summer but, after the Spaniard’s problems in between the sticks this season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are considering whether to go back in and sign their former target.

Maignan has a contract that expires in 2026 and Milan are looking at extending his current deal. However, there is believed to be a gap between the keeper’s demands and what the Rossoneri are prepared to pay him.

He is currently taking home €2.8m a year, but he is keen to earn a salary similar to his teammate Rafael Leao, who is on €7m a year.

At the moment, Milan are said to be prepared to offer around €5.5m, which is still substantially below what Maignan wants, but Calciomercato claim that the difference between the two parties is “not impossible to close”.

Chelsea would have to pay an eye-watering sum for Maignan

If Maignan cannot agree a contract extension, it would present an opportunity for the Blues to revive their interest. However, it has been suggested that Milan will not let him leave on the cheap this summer if negotiations stall.

Calciomercato report that the Serie A side could demand as much as €100m (£86m) for the shot-stopper (whose nickname is “Magic Mike”). That is not a price Chelsea would be willing to match.

Pochettino could keep faith with Petrovic

While Sanchez may have had a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge, the same cannot be said of Djordje Petrovic. The Serbian arrived from MLS side New England Revolution last year to little fanfare.

However, after Sanchez picked up a knee injury back in December, Petrovic took his opportunity with both hands and he has now become Pochettino‘s favoured option in goal.