Chelsea are edging closer to signing Serbian shot-stopper Djordje Petrovic from New England Revolution for a fee of €16 million.
The Blues have reportedly agreed a deal with New England Revolution, with the inclusion of performance-based add-ons.
According to transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, Petrovic will undergo his medical on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
Djordje Petrovic was previously linked with a possible move to Chelsea’s rivals Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has made 48 appearances for New England Revolution and he has amassed an impressive 15 clean sheets cumulatively.
Petrovic joined the American club from FK Čukarički on April 6, 2022, for a transfer fee of €909,000.
His imminent arrival has received mixed reactions from Chelsea fans, who are bewildered over the club’s transfer business this summer.
The Stamford Bridge club have witnessed the departure of Kepa Arizzabalaga this summer, who joined Real Madrid on loan till the end of the 2023/24 season.
Kepa endured a mixed spell at Chelsea, having lost his starting shirt to Senegal international Edouard Mendy.
However, the Spaniard fought hard to regain the No 1 spot last term, but he is still not a stand-out choice for supporters of the West London club.
Following the exit of Edouard Mendy, Chelsea signed Robert Sánchez from Brighton for a fee of €23 million.
Sanchez was initially second-choice in goal, but the loan departure of Kepa Arizzabalaga led to him being the senior shot-stopper.
The Spaniard has made 2 appearances for Chelsea, keeping no clean sheet so far and he has also not earned the trust of fans of the 2-time Champions League winners.
Djordje Petrovic will be coming into the Stamford Bridge club to provide needed competition in goal.
Is Djordje Petrovic the 9th signing of Chelsea this summer?
He is set to become Chelsea’s 9th signing this summer, having signed Ângelo, Robert Sánchez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Nicolas Jackson, and Axel Disasi.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side also acquired Christopher Nkunku, Roméo Lavia, and Moisés Caicedo this summer.
The Blues have had an underwhelming start to the 2023/24 Premier League season, as they are yet to pick up their first 3 points of the new campaign.
Chelsea drew their opening game of the league season, playing out a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, before embarrassingly losing to West Ham United by 3-1.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side face newcomers Luton Town next on Friday, August 25, 2023, as they aim to secure their first win of the league season.
Meanwhile, Djordje Petrovic has also played for the Serbian men’s national team, making two appearances so far.
Petrovic has also received high recommendations from one notable player, who played in the Premier League, Superliga, Turkish Süper Lig and MLS.
Former Liverpool goalie Brad Friedel stated confidently in June that the Serbian can start for any team in Europe.
Friedel said: “He could start right now for pretty much any team in Europe, although he has a learning curve of course.
“From what I have seen of him, there has been no better goalkeeper in MLS for a long time.”
Djordje Petrović was also voted the Revolution Team Most Valuable Player for 2022 by fans and the club’s Players’ Player of the Year by his colleagues.
