Chelsea finally signalled their intent to enter the transfer market yesterday, confirming that they are in discussions with Lyons to bring Florent Malouda, the France winger, to Stamford Bridge for £12.5 million. But the London club immediately were in competition with Real Madrid on two fronts.

Since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, Chelsea have had the financial power to dominate transfer windows, but this summer José Mourinho has had to make do with Bosman signings, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have been spending millions.

However, Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, was in confident mood yesterday, indicating that Malouda would be signed in time to join Chelsea on their three-match tour to the United States, which starts next week. Real are also interested in the player and could enter the bidding – ironically, if they fail in their attempt to lure Arjen Robben from West London to Spain.

Kenyon dismissed reports that Robben would be leaving. “They mean nothing,” he said. “We have had no offers for any of our players and, anyway, Arjen is a different kind of player [to Malouda]. We were light in certain areas and we’re just concentrating on bringing him [Malouda] in.”

Ramón Calderón, the Real president, offered a contrasting slant on what could become a complicated tug-of-war. “Malouda is a player that Miguel Ángel Portugal [the Real technical secretary] likes a lot,” Calderón said. “But we also have to consider other players that would fit in, like Robben, who has many chances of joining our team.”

Malouda is keen to join the Premiership runners-up and has already spoken with Mourinho, the manager. However, they have to deal with Jean-Michel Aulas, the outspoken Lyons chairman, who often conducts transfers in what amounts to a public auction. Two years ago, Chelsea had to go to £24.4 million to prise Michael Essien from the French champions.

Kenyon remains undaunted by the fierce reputation of Aulas, who is understood to want £17 million for Malouda. “We are in dialogue with Lyons and are looking to conclude the deal ahead of us going to Los Angeles,” Kenyon said. “We are optimistic of him going out there with us at some point.”

Chelsea have hardly spent a penny this summer, with Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim and Claudio Pizarro having arrived on free transfers. Kenyon was quick to dismiss the suggestion that it was because Abramovich, who has invested £350 million in the club, had declined to make any more funds available. “We have not spent because the players we have wanted we have got and we don’t believe in spending money on players that will not add any benefit,” Kenyon said.

Kenyon was speaking at the opening of Chelsea’s 140-acre, £20 million training complex in Cobham, Surrey, where players will have to use a bio-metric “thumbprint” to gain entrance. John Terry and Frank Lampard should still be around to leave their mark next season despite inconclusive progress in their talks over new contracts. “We’re in discussion with them, working on what’s needed to keep them,” Kenyon said. “They are very professional and I’m sure they want to stay. Hopefully, these things will get done before the season.”

Avram Grant, the former Ports-mouth technical director, will join Chelsea in a similar role “in the next few days” as they focus on regaining the title from United. Success in Europe, Kenyon said, is essential, too. “Everyone is absolutely intent on getting the Premiership back,” he said, “and to achieve our objective of being one of the global clubs, you have to win the Champions League. The Champions League is the holy grail.”