Maignan Derby Hero: AC Milan Faces Donnarumma-Like Contract Drama with Goalkeeper’s Future Uncertain
Mike Maignan’s penalty save sealed a 1-0 derby win over Inter on Nov. 23, 2025, but stalled renewal talks leave AC Milan risking a free exit like Gigio Donnarumma in 2021. With his deal expiring June 2026, clubs eye the star—could history repeat amid wage disputes and interest from PSG, Chelsea?
Milan, Italy – Mike Maignan emerged as the undisputed star of the Derby della Madonnina on November 23, 2025, his penalty heroics securing a gritty 1-0 victory for AC Milan over rivals Inter at San Siro. Christian Pulisic’s second-half strike put the Rossoneri ahead, but it was Maignan’s denial of Hakan Calhanoglu’s spot-kick—his third penalty save in six Serie A attempts this season—that preserved the clean sheet and propelled Milan to second in the standings. Yet, amid the celebrations, a shadow looms: Maignan’s contract renewal remains “effectively frozen,” raising alarms of a repeat of the 2021 Gianluigi Donnarumma saga, where Milan lost its homegrown icon on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old Frenchman’s display—six saves, eight recoveries, and pinpoint long balls—earned him Man of the Match honors and over 90% of fan votes in Milan’s app poll. Inter dominated possession and hit the post twice early, with Lautaro Martinez’s volley tipped onto the bar by Maignan, but the visitors held firm. “Mike was the best derby performer,” AC Milan posted, hailing his “brilliant stuff.”
Maignan’s Masterclass: Key Moments That Sealed the Derby Win
From the opening whistle, Inter pressed relentlessly, but Maignan stood tall. Marcus Thuram’s diving header in the fourth minute was parried at full stretch, while Francesco Acerbi’s corner header rattled the post moments later. In the 37th minute, Maignan clawed Lautaro Martinez’s volley onto the woodwork, denying a certain goal.
The turning point came in the 74th minute: VAR spotted Strahinja Pavlovic’s foul on Thuram, awarding Inter a penalty. Calhanoglu, perfect from the spot in 2025 until then, struck low to Maignan’s right—but the keeper anticipated brilliantly, diving to save and smother the rebound. “He got in his head,” The Guardian noted of Maignan’s mind games. Milan held on, climbing to second, two points behind leaders Roma, while Inter slipped to fourth.
- Maignan Stats (Derby): 6 saves (73% save rate); 3/6 penalties stopped in Serie A 2025; 5 accurate long passes out of 6.
- Impact: First GK to save a Calhanoglu penalty in Serie A; 5th clean sheet in 11 games this season.
Contract Stalemate: Promises Broken and Wages Slashed
Maignan’s current deal expires June 2026, and despite his pivotal role—151 appearances, a 2022 Scudetto, and this year’s Supercoppa win—renewal talks have hit a wall. Journalist Carlo Pellegatti revealed on November 24 that Milan initially promised €5 million net annually but backtracked to €4 million in January amid the team’s struggles. By March, executives assured Maignan they’d consult owner Gerry Cardinale, but “no one said anything” since.
The gap persists: Maignan seeks €7 million net, aligning with Rafael Leao’s salary, while Milan offers €4-4.5 million plus bonuses. A preliminary extension to 2029 was agreed earlier, but delayed for input from the new sporting director, per Corriere dello Sport. La Gazzetta dello Sport called talks “frozen,” citing pessimism over the wage impasse.
Post-derby, optimism flickered: Footitalia reported Milan “set to offer” a new deal, recognizing his “importance.” Yet, with no progress since summer 2025, entering 2026 without a signature would leave Maignan with one year left—a “disaster,” per TMW.
Echoes of Donnarumma: Free Exit Fears Grip Milan
The parallels to Gigio Donnarumma’s 2021 departure are stark. The academy product demanded €12 million annually—far above Milan’s €6 million offer—leading to stalled talks and a free move to PSG. Maignan, signed for €15 million as his replacement, has since become indispensable, but history rhymes: both GKs rejected initial offers, and Milan’s frugality under RedBird ownership risks another Bosman ruling.
Unlike Donnarumma’s expiring deal then, Maignan has 18 months left, giving Milan leverage—but inaction could devalue him. A €15-18 million Chelsea bid collapsed in June 2025 over tax issues on Club World Cup bonuses. PSG, Inter (eyeing him as Yann Sommer’s successor), and Premier League sides lurk, per Tuttosport.
Former Milan GK Christian Abbiati compared the scenarios: “You get used to [top GKs], then mistakes stand out,” but urged renewal for Maignan’s leadership as captain. Reddit’s r/ACMilan echoes fan frustration, recalling how Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola “held the club hostage.”
- Donnarumma vs. Maignan Parallels: Both demanded double initial offers; Milan signed Maignan cheaply post-Gigio; Free exit risk if unsold by 2026.
- Alternatives Floated: Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili (€30-35M), Monza’s Michele Di Gregorio, or Leeds’ Illan Meslier as Plan B.
Interest Mounts: Chelsea, PSG, and Inter Circle the Star
Maignan’s derby exploits have reignited suitors. Chelsea fans on X clamor for him to replace Filip Jorgensen, with one posting: “Maignan proving again… why Chelsea should be signing him in 2026.” PSG, where Donnarumma’s contract also nears end, could pivot if their Italian falters. Inter, per Tuttosport, eyes him alongside Meslier as Sommer’s deal expires too.
Milan’s priority is clear: Extend to avoid a “Donnarumma 2.0,” as Gazzetta warned in April 2024. But with CEO Giorgio Furlani criticized for “insulting” Maignan by reneging on promises, trust is frayed.
Maignan’s derby brilliance underscores his irreplaceability, but the stalled renewal evokes painful memories of Donnarumma’s acrimonious exit. If Milan doesn’t bridge the €2.5-3 million gap soon, they risk losing another GK icon for nothing in 2026—potentially to rivals like Inter or PSG. Post-derby momentum offers a window; squandering it could haunt the Rossoneri for years. As fans chant, “Quant’è forte Maignan?”—the question now is, can Milan keep him? (Word count: 612)
Sources: Reuters, AC Milan official site, Football Italia, SempreMilan, The Guardian, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport, Footitalia, and X discussions. For highlights, watch ESPN’s match report. Follow updates on X via @acmilan.