Chelsea will open their new £20 million training complex officially on Thursday, but it appears to be the only issue at Stamford Bridge that is set in stone. Three senior players have been unable to agree new contracts with the club and there will be no expensive arrivals this summer until players are sold, as the purse strings are tightened by Roman Abramovich, the owner.

Some money will be made available from the possible departures of Khalid Boulahrouz, the defender, who is close to a deal to move to Seville for about £3.5 million, and Arjen Robben, who is wanted by Real Madrid. The Spanish champions are confident that a deal for about £15 million could be agreed for the Holland winger before Chelsea return for preseason training a week today, when the squad leave for a tour to the United States.

Reports in Spain suggest that Real have reached an agreement with the representatives of Robben, who has been offered an extension to his contract, which has two years left. His father and representative, Hans, has denied that he has spoken to other clubs.

Júlio Baptista, the Real midfield player on loan at Arsenal last season, said yesterday that Robben would be a good acquisition. “The Dutchman is a big player and excellent with assists,” Baptista said. “If he signs with Real, the team will score many goals with the head because of the fact he is a wonderful crosser. He is similar to [David] Beckham in this aspect.” Chelsea already appear to have lined up Florent Malouda as a possible replacement for Robben on the left flank. The France winger claimed that he has made his mind up to sign for Chelsea after he held talks with José Mourinho, the manager, having turned an offer from Liverpool. Chelsea declined to comment.

Malouda has threatened that he will not return for preseason to Lyons, where he has four years left on his contract. But his club have said that he will not be allowed to go until Chelsea increase their offer from £12 million to £17 million.

Malouda can also play as a second striker or in the hole. He scored eight league goals to help Lyons to a sixth straight title last season, when he was named player of the year by his fellow professionals. He rose to prominence during the World Cup when, having been omitted from the first group match, he was ever-present and won the penalty that enabled Zinédine Zidane to open the scoring against Italy in the final.

Of concern to Mourinho are the futures of John Terry and Frank Lampard, who have rejected new deals because of the wages being offered. Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, has no meetings planned to resolve the issue. The players believe that it is down to Kenyon to come forward with an improved offer to match the wages that are paid to Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, who earn about £130,000 a week.

Lampard has not been made a new offer since he rejected a new contract worth £110,000 a week. Barcelona are keen to sign the England midfield player and he has also been linked with Juventus. Terry, the defender and captain, broke off talks in February after Chelsea rescinded an initial offer of a nine-year contract. But Chelsea believe that Terry will stay.

Chelsea’s stance reflects a more measured approach than when they spent £110 million in 2003, epitomised by the signing of Juan Sebastián Verón. The Argentina midfield player arrived for £15 million at the height of the extravagance, but his contract ran out at the weekend having made only five league starts because of a back injury. He was sent on loan to Inter Milan for two seasons and then to Estúdiantes in his homeland.