Chelsea ‘immediately opens talks’ for big transfer after Barcelona win

Goals from Jules Kounde (OG), Estevao and Liam Delap earned them their third Champions League win of the season.

The Blues are currently fifth in the Champions League ahead of Wednesday’s matches and are performing strongly in the Premier League.

They have collected 23 points domestically and are only behind leaders Arsenal.

Chelsea are in a strong position heading into the new year, competing on several fronts, including the Carabao Cup.

Now it appears the club are looking to strengthen their squad even further.

As journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported, Chelsea have resumed talks with Mike Maignan’s camp over a possible move to west London, following an earlier attempt to sign him last summer.

This development follows Maignan’s decision not to renew his contract with AC Milan, which expires in June 2026.

Milan want to avoid losing him on a free transfer and are exploring options, while Chelsea are keen to strike a deal.

According to the report, Chelsea are ‘accelerating behind the scenes’ and making efforts to ‘reorganize their goalkeeping department’.

They will, however, face competition from Juventus, who are monitoring the situation and see him as a possible replacement for Michele Di Gregorio.

At the moment, Chelsea seem to be leading the race, having taken the ‘first concrete steps’ and offering a ‘sporting project that is likely to convince the 30-year-old’.

If Maignan arrives, Filip Jorgensen could be on his way to making room in the squad.

Jorgensen, who has made four appearances this season, looks set to leave after joining for £20million in the summer of 2024.

Robert Sanchez remains Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper after making 16 appearances in all competitions this season, including every league match.

Maignan, on the other hand, has made 176 appearances for Milan since his move from Lille in the summer of 2021.

He played a key role in helping the club win the Serie A title in the 2021/22 season.