The goalkeeper was offered a new contract with a top salary and a series of bonuses to fill the gap with his requests. But Magic Mike is doing well at Milanello, Max’s staff has brought him back to the top and the locker room… is rooting for him
Milan’s pressure on Mike Maignan is strong. Let’s start with the news: the club has officially sent the goalkeeper an offer for the renewal of the contract expiring on 30 June. An important proposal, in line with the salary of Rafa Leao, the highest paid in the squad. Now he is waiting for a response from his captain, but, if in the summer the goalkeeper’s decision to leave Milan in search of a new opportunity was… a certainty, now the situation is more fluid. It would almost be overturned because the management, Allegri and his teammates are doing everything possible to convince him to sign. And the Frenchman is flattered by the continuous certificates of esteem he receives. This doesn’t mean it will stay for sure, but the dialogue is there. The parties will soon see each other because, after the proposal of the last few days, we need to look each other in the eye and discuss. In the meantime, the captain reflects on what, in one sense or another, will be a life choice. Milan is convinced that they have done their best.
The figures
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In Magic Mike’s convincing, everyone is playing an important role. The club offered him a top player’s salary, the same one that pushed Rafa Leao to renew: 7 million net, including bonuses, per season. A lower sum than what the former Lille player asked for (7.5 million guaranteed plus bonuses), but the goalkeeper would become, together with the Portuguese, the highest paid in the squad. To close the gap between supply and demand without breaking through the roof, there is a desire to work on bonuses. Which? Perhaps inserting one linked to future participation in the Champions League, as happened for Rabiot; another would instead “cover” this season. That is, if the signature arrives within a few weeks, say before the end of the January transfer window or by the beginning of March, he could be awarded a bonus for 2025-26 to supplement his current salary. A figure that would perhaps be raised in the event of entry into the most prestigious European cup. It would be a sort of signing bonus that he would collect if he went to another club on a free transfer. The club is looking around and has monitored the situation of potential replacements (Suzuki before the injury and Hugo Souza of Corinthians, to give two examples), but the investment between the posts will only be made if Maignan definitively ends his stay at the Rossoneri. If he says no to the official proposal made to him. That’s why now all efforts are concentrated in the direction of convincing him. The proposed agreement is long, until 2029 with an option to 2030, or directly until 2030. A long-term project with the captain at the centre.
Confidence and training
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Parallel to the company’s work, there is the courtship of Allegri who pushed for his confirmation last summer and who would like to keep him for the future as well. Max has a relationship of deep respect and trust with his captain. And it is reciprocated by the goalkeeper who is very happy with the working methods of Filippi, the goalkeeping coach who arrived from Juventus in the summer: physically Mike is back as reactive as in the best seasons. This is demonstrated by the penalties saved against Dybala and Calhanoglu, but also by the important saves he has made in this first part of the season. The absence of European cups allowed him to “push” hard on the pitch, thus bringing back the reactivity and explosiveness shown for example in the year of the championship. Allegri and his staff know that another Maignan on the market would be difficult to find and fit into both the team and the dressing room. It is therefore better not to lose him, even if the Livorno coach is too expert not to ask either/or: he gave his indication both to the club (which moved) and to the player (who reflects). Now Max is also hoping for white smoke.
Comrades… fans
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Even his teammates are “supporting” Maignan’s stay: Gabbia came out with a post on social media, explicitly asking him to sign the renewal. Matteo is the emblem of Milanism: if he speaks publicly he doesn’t do it by chance. Behind him he has the dressing room and the Devil’s people who don’t want to lose their captain. The story of Donnarumma, who left on a free transfer, teaches that when faced with indispensable offers, even the most intense courtships have little chance, but at the moment there is still no PSG on the horizon for the number 16. Intended as a top club. This is why Furlani and Tare are pushing hard and believe in the renewal mission.
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