EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea Targets Maignan and Ter Stegen to Resolve Goalkeeping Dilemma

Chelsea have publicly played down the chances of acquiring a new goalkeeper this summer, but behind closed doors, the club is vigorously pursuing an opportunity to secure one of Europe’s finest talents.

Reports suggest that both Mike Maignan and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are regarded as rare prospects—highly skilled players who could significantly boost Chelsea’s ambitions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

At present, indications point towards Maignan being the more likely candidate, yet the potential availability of both players at comparatively reasonable prices dovetails with a broader strategic shift occurring at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea earned the moniker “Billionaire Boys” under their current ownership due to a period of extravagant spending. However, this summer signals a change in their approach.

The club is now placing greater emphasis on value and efficiency, and these prospective signings embody this new philosophy.

For a club that previously spent over £100 million each on midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, as well as more than £70 million on Wesley Fofana, the signs of transformation are unmistakable.

The recent acquisition of Liam Delap set a new precedent: a young striker with impressive credentials and Premier League experience, secured for £30 million.

This move was perceived as astute, and the club aims to maintain this momentum by resisting the temptation to overspend in other areas.

This transfer window, their targets include a goalkeeper, a centre-back, an attacking midfielder, and possibly another forward.

Before the Club World Cup, Chelsea withdrew from negotiations for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and AC Milan’s Maignan, but they have indicated they may revisit those options.

They are now re-engaging with Dortmund regarding Gittens and are ready to meet the £55 million asking price, ensuring that the payment structure is favourable for them.

The scenario with Maignan differs slightly. Initially, Milan set his price at £20 million, but Chelsea opted not to meet that figure with only a year remaining on his contract. They still plan to return, believing a deal closer to £10 million could ultimately be negotiated.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Ter Stegen has also come into focus. He is seen as another potentially viable option, particularly given his desire for a move following the club’s decision to sign Espanyol’s Joan Garcia as their new number one.

The main challenge with Ter Stegen is expected to be the personal terms he might seek in any potential transfer.

In another indication of Chelsea’s more measured approach, earlier this month, they proposed a player-swap deal for Mohammed Kudus, offering three squad members already scouted by West Ham, but the Hammers insisted on a cash-only agreement.

All of this suggests a more calculated Chelsea, working with a clearer vision now that much of the squad has been established. After investing over £1 billion since 2022, their focus has shifted.

The return to Champions League football has further stabilised the club and made Chelsea a more appealing prospect beyond mere financial incentives.

Chelsea are no longer acting with the same frenetic urgency that characterised the early days of the Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali era, though there is still potential for a whirlwind of activity as the summer progresses.

The goalkeeping situation remains one of the more intriguing dynamics within the squad. The Blues already have the likes of Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Gabriel Slonina, and Mike Penders in their ranks.

However, despite this depth, the position is considered a short-term vulnerability, and the club is diligently exploring whether a more reliable, top-tier solution can be secured in this transfer window.

A move for either Maignan or Ter Stegen is not pressing. In fact, sources indicate that any significant progress may not occur for several weeks as Chelsea continues to observe the market’s developments.

While the days of indiscriminate spending seem to have come to an end, Chelsea remains serious about their ambitions.