CHELSEA have tabled a £13million bid for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to reports.
The Blues want to give their new No1 his debut at the Club World Cup, which begins next Sunday.
But the deadline to register players for the revamped 32-team tournament is on Tuesday.
And it means Chelsea face a race against time to get the transfer announced.
The club have been locked in talks with both AC Milan and the player since last week.
Maignan is thought to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge and has already agreed personal terms.
The 29-year-old has just a year left on his contract with the Italian side.
And with the two parties no closer to agreement, Milan are set to cash-in this summer rather than risk losing him for free in 12 months’ time.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims £13m will be enough to seal the deal, while Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claim the fee is likely to be £15m.
Milan have already sounded out Roma’s Mile Svilar as Maignan’s replacement.
The Frenchman has 31 international caps to his name and is regarded by many as one of the best keepers in the world.
He has been in the Serie A Team of the Year twice in four seasons and he won the title with Milan in 2022 after keeping 17 clean sheets.
There is set to be a lot of movement in Chelsea’s bloated goalkeeper department this summer.
The first to go will reportedly be Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal in a £5m deal.
Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic face uncertain futures.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to improve their bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.
The Blues’ opening offer fell £10m short of their £40m valuation of the English winger, who has already agreed a seven-year contract in West London.
