There’s little doubt Chelsea panicked when Thibaut Courtois forced through a move to Real Madrid in the final days of the 2018 summer transfer window.
The Belgian was the Blues’ undisputed No.1 goalkeeper but with less than a year remaining on his contract, the club had to sell for a cut price £35m fee.
And with hours rather than days to find a replacement, Chelsea made a bold decision. They decided to break the world-transfer record for a goalkeeper to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £71m.
Eighteen months on and that decision looks an ill-advised one. Kepa, especially this season, has struggled for form. So much so that he sat out all of February with Frank Lampard promoting 38-year-old Willy Caballero to first choice.
According to numerous reports, Lampard hasn’t been convinced by the Spaniard since taking charge at Stamford Bridge. And the former Blues midfielder wants a new goalkeeper signed this summer.
Several names have been linked, but an opportunity may present itself to Chelsea that they would have to take no matter the cost.
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future is uncertain. The 27-year-old has a little over two years remaining on his contract and talks to extend have dragged on for some time.
Bayern Munich are said to be monitoring the situation but with Manuel Neuer in situ and Alexander Nubel on the way, a switch to Bavaria may not be an easy sell.
Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested but both have established No.1s, although they could be easily moved on.
What the trio of clubs above could offer Ter Stegen is a guaranteed title tilt. It would be difficult for Chelsea to convince the German they could win the Premier League next season given they are 34 points behind leaders Liverpool.
However, Chelsea are very much in the midst of a reconstruction. Ageing players are being eased out, younger players brought in. There is a clear vision for players to believe in.
If the Blues were able to make waves in the transfer market this summer - and they have money to spend after two windows, one of which was enforced, of inactivity - a switch to Stamford Bridge may quickly become more appealing.
Not that any of that would make Barcelona inclined to sell, of course. Ter Stegen’s release clause stands at £160m and it would take a lot of work to get the club to sell for anything less.
Reports of a bust-up with Lionel Messi and the uncertainty over his contract do give potential buyers some leverage, although it’s almost certain they’d still have to pay in excess £100m.
Yet Liverpool proved when they signed Alisson that paying top dollar for a goalkeeper can pay off. And Ter Stegen would certainly be worth it.
He is everything Lampard wants from a goalkeeper. He’s an excellent shot-stopper, commands his area well and is the world’s best with the ball at his feet.
That last point has only been emphasised since Quique Setien took charge at the Camp Nou in January; Barcelona defenders have been instructed to take goal kicks to ensure ter Stegen receives the ball to start attacks.
To lure Ter Stegen to Stamford Bridge would take an incredible amount of work, perhaps more than Chelsea have put into any signing in recent memory. But if there’s even a small chance a deal could be done, the Blues must grasp it.
