{"id":332189,"date":"2025-12-23T21:28:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T21:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/332189\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T21:28:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T21:28:21","slug":"chelsea-can-finally-give-enzo-maresca-what-he-wants-with-clever-free-transfer-in-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/332189\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea can finally give Enzo Maresca what he wants with clever free transfer in January"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for AC Milan&#8217;s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, during the summer transfer window just gone<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2245697647.jpg\" alt=\"Enzo Maresca smiles while walking. \" loading=\"eager\" \/>Enzo Maresca has an area that could be strengthened with a January deal.(Image: Steve Bardens)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea could finally grant <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/enzo-maresca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Enzo MarescaLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Enzo Maresca<\/a>&#8216;s wish for reinforcements in one key position with a clever free transfer during the January window.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The west London giants had a busy summer with 10 additions; including the likes of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/joao-pedro\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Joao PedroLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Joao Pedro<\/a>, Liam Delap, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/jamie-gittens\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Jamie GittensLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Jamie Gittens<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/alejandro-garnacho\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Alejandro GarnachoLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Alejandro Garnacho<\/a>. However, one position they did not strengthen was the goalkeeping department, instead selling out-of-favour shot-stopper <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/kepa-arrizabalaga\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Kepa ArrizabalagaLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Kepa Arrizabalaga<\/a> to rivals <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ArsenalLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Arsenal<\/a> for \u00a35million, and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/djordje-petrovic\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Djordje PetrovicLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Djordje Petrovic<\/a> to Bournemouth for roughly \u00a325million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout the summer, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/chelsea-fc\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ChelseaLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Chelsea<\/a> were heavily linked with AC Milan&#8217;s Mike Maignan. The 30-year-old was tipped to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues eventually cooled their interest in the Frenchman after failing to agree a fee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2025\/jun\/10\/chelsea-milan-mike-maignan\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"A report from The GuardianLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">A report from The Guardian<\/a> at the time claimed the Serie A outfit were seeking a fee in the region of \u00a321million; a figure Chelsea deemed too high for a player with just a year left on his contract.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Now, as January&#8217;s window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will revisit their interest. It emerged last month that Maignan does not intend to renew his contract with Milan and is therefore set to be available as a free agent at the end of the current season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">From the New Year, Maignan will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of Italy ahead of a possible move in the summer. Interested clubs could also test the waters with Milan by offering a nominal fee to sign him in January &#8211; should the Serie A giants prefer not to lose their goalkeeper for nothing in six months&#8217; time.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2239175255.jpg\" alt=\"Mike Maignan holds the football.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>Chelsea tried to sign Mike Maignan this summer.(Image: Nicolo Campo\/LightRocket)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sky-sport.ch\/fr\/articles\/chelsea-active-l-operation-mike-maignan\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Sky Sports SwitzerlandLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Sky Sports Switzerland<\/a> reported recently Chelsea had reopened discussions with Maignan&#8217;s representatives and are leading the chase for his signature. Juventus have also been credited with interest in the player, but the desire to fulfil a lifelong dream of playing in the Premier League could sway the matter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">From Chelsea&#8217;s perspective, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/robert-sanchez\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Robert SanchezLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Robert Sanchez<\/a> has enjoyed a promising campaign between the sticks. The 28-year-old&#8217;s importance was highlighted by his impressive assist for Pedro in the recent win against Newcastle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the meantime, however, it appears Chelsea&#8217;s hierarchy may instead be prioritising targets in other areas of the pitch. Widespread reports emerged on Monday claiming that <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/chelsea-fc\/transfer-news\/antoine-semenyo-liverpool-man-utd-33112118\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"they have now thrown their name into the mix for Bournemouth&#039;s Antoine SemenyoLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">they have now thrown their name into the mix for Bournemouth&#8217;s Antoine Semenyo<\/a>, who is also attracting interest from many of the Blues&#8217;s top-six rivals this winter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The window opens on January 1 and will remain open until 7pm on February 2. Before that, however, Chelsea must first navigate tricky Premier League home fixtures against Aston Villa and Bournemouth.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_GettyImages-1239796205.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Va5UfcrEKyZ8Lbjgo51Y\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Click this link<\/a> to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you&#8217;ll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Just remember to turn on the notifications once you&#8217;ve followed, and you won&#8217;t miss a beat!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for AC Milan&#8217;s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, during the summer transfer window&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":332190,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[219,129436,294,218,81603,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-332189","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-chelsea","9":"tag-chelsea-transfer-rumours","10":"tag-enzo-maresca","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-january-transfer-window","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=332189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332189\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=332189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=332189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=332189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}