Chelsea Football Club has reportedly reached an agreement with AFC Bournemouth for the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović. The deal for the Serbian international is understood to be worth £25 million, seeing him join a fellow Premier League side.
Petrović initially arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023 from MLS side New England Revolution. He quickly established himself, eventually becoming the preferred choice between the posts under then-manager Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of the season. However, the subsequent managerial change, which saw Enzo Maresca take the helm, appeared to shift his standing within the squad hierarchy.
The 24-year-old was then sent on loan to Chelsea`s sister club, RC Strasbourg, for what was anticipated to be the 2024-25 campaign. Interestingly, this arrangement reportedly included a `gentleman`s agreement` outlining the terms for a permanent £25 million transfer to occur this very summer. During his time in France, Petrović once again demonstrated his capabilities, concluding his spell with an impressive record of 10 clean sheets.
Despite expectations that he might return to London to compete for a starting position, it soon became clear that Petrović had other intentions. Reports emerged that the goalkeeper had formally requested to be left out of Chelsea`s Club World Cup plans, explicitly indicating his desire for a permanent move away from the club. This request seemingly paved the way for the pre-agreed transfer to materialise.
AFC Bournemouth, seeking to bolster their goalkeeping options, found a suitable candidate in Petrović. The Cherries recently saw Spanish international Kepa Arrizabalaga conclude his loan spell from Chelsea before making a permanent switch elsewhere, creating a vacancy that Petrović is now set to fill.
This particular transfer also fits into Chelsea`s broader summer strategy. Following significant investment in new players – a pattern Stamford Bridge has become rather familiar with in recent years – the club is actively looking to offload players deemed surplus to requirements or those who have been out on loan, like Petrović, to help balance their financial outlay. This drive to sell is highlighted by other pending or completed departures, such as the reported £52 million sale of Noni Madueke.
The transfer merry-go-round in the goalkeeper department doesn`t necessarily stop here. With Petrović departing Strasbourg, the French club is now in need of a replacement, and speculation suggests they may turn their attention back to Chelsea, potentially eyeing a loan deal for young stopper Mike Penders.
Ultimately, Petrović`s move concludes a relatively brief but eventful chapter at Chelsea, marked by a rapid ascent, a temporary detour via loan, and a clear desire for a permanent home, which he now appears to have found on the south coast with Bournemouth.
