Chelsea publicizes the chance to sign a new keeper this summer, but behind the scenes the club is actively investigating the chance of landing one of Europe's elite.
Sources indicate that both Mike Maignan and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are seen as rare market opportunities, high-level artists who can immediately increase Chelsea's ambitions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Current indications suggest that Maignan is the most likely option at this stage, but the fact that both he and Ter Stegen can be available against relatively reasonable reimbursements, focuses on a broader strategic shift at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea earned a reputation as the “billionaire boys” under their current property, after a period of Headline-Gravrijpinvesting. But this summer marks a tone shift.
The club is increasingly focused on value and efficiency, and these potential deals reflect that new approach.
For a club that once paid more than £ 100 million for midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and more than £ 70 million on Wesley Fofana, the signs of change are clear.
The recent signing of Liam Delap set the tone: a young striker with strong pedigree and Premier League experience, secured for £ 30 million.
It was seen as a smart company, and the club intends to continue in that spirit by refusing to pay too much elsewhere.
Their goals for this window include a keeper, a center-back, an attacking midfielder and possibly another attacker.
Prior to the World Cup Club, Chelsea ran away from deals for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and the Maignan of AC Milan, but announced that they could return.
They are now again in conversation with Dortmund about Gittens and are willing to meet the £ 55 million appreciation. However, they will ensure that the structure of the deal payments suits them.
The Maignan situation is slightly different. Milan initially cost him £ 20 million, but with only one year to his contract, Chelsea refused to meet that figure. They are still planning to return, but believe that a deal can eventually be agreed closer to £ 10 million.
In the meantime, Barcelona's Ter Stegen has also emerged on their radar. He is seen as a different potentially good value option because of his need for an exit, after the club's decision to introduce Joan Garcia of Espanyol as their new first-choice keeper.
The biggest obstacle with Ter Stegen is expected to be the personal conditions that he can demand in every movement.
Another sign of the more measured approach from Chelsea came earlier this month with their proposal from a player swap deal for Mohammed Kudus. Chelsea already offered three squadron members well detailed by West Ham Scouts, but the hammers insist on a cash deal.
All this indicates a more calculated Chelsea, which works with a clearer view now that most of the team has been assembled. After having spent more than £ 1 billion since 2022, the focus has shifted.
The return to Champions League football has also helped to stabilize the club and make Chelsea a more attractive proposition that goes beyond financial incentives.
Chelsea no longer works with the same breaking urgency that defined the early days of the Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghali era, but there is still potential for a flurry of activity when summer unfolds.
The goalkeeper situation remains one of the more intriguing areas of the team. The blues already have people like Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Gabriel Slonina and Mike Penders in the books.
But despite the depth, the position is seen internally as a weakness in the short term, and the club is actively investigating whether a more reliable, top solution in this window can be protected.
A movement for Maignan or Ter Stegen is not urgent. Sources even suggest that serious developments can take place for a few weeks, while Chelsea checks how the market is evolving.
While the days of paying whatever it is needed, Chelsea still mean things.