Đorđe Petrović departs Chelsea: Bournemouth seal £25 million deal

Chelsea’s goalkeeping plans are being reshaped once again. Serbian shot-stopper Đorđe Petrović is on his way to Premier League side Bournemouth. According to The Athletic, the two clubs have reached an agreement worth £25 million.

From Stamford Bridge to France, and back to the Premier League

Signed in the summer of 2023 from MLS side New England Revolution, Petrović became Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper in his debut season, featuring in 31 matches across all competitions, conceding 44 goals and keeping 7 clean sheets. However, with the arrival of Enzo Maresca, Petrović fell down the pecking order and was loaned to Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg at the beginning of the season.

During his loan spell at Strasbourg, Petrović delivered a standout campaign that showcased both consistency and maturity between the posts. Petrović made 31 appearances for Strasbourg, conceding 38 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets. Thanks to this display, several clubs began monitoring him closely. As The Athletic reports, the £25 million gentleman’s agreement included in the loan deal has now been activated.

“Petrovic joined Strasbourg on a loan deal for the 2024-25 season that included a gentleman’s agreement for a £25million permanent transfer.”
— The Athletic

Petrović is more than just a line goalkeeper; he possesses the traits of a modern sweeper-keeper. His reflexes are excellent, he maintains high concentration throughout the game, and positions himself well. He consistently commands his area and shows bravery when dealing with aerial threats, while also remaining effective in one-on-one situations. This makes him a reassuring presence when dealing with balls in behind and a stabilising force within the team’s defensive structure.

Requested a transfer, left out of squad

While Petrović was initially expected to return to Chelsea after his loan spell, he made an unexpected decision. According to The Athletic, the player asked not to be included in the Club World Cup squad. His reasoning was clear:

“Petrović was expected to compete for the No 1 shirt at Chelsea again, but he asked not to be included in the squad for the Club World Cup as he was seeking a permanent departure from the club.”
— The Athletic

Petrović was determined to secure a permanent move away from Chelsea and take full control of his career path. He has now reached an agreement with Bournemouth, and Chelsea honoured their informal agreement and accepted Bournemouth’s £25 million bid.

Kepa out, Petrović in

Bournemouth moved to reinforce their goalkeeping ranks following the departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spanish keeper’s loan spell at Chelsea ended and he completed a permanent move to Arsenal for €5.8 million earlier this summer. For Petrović, the vacancy at Bournemouth represented the perfect chance to reclaim a starting role.

Squad overhaul continues at Chelsea

Having already brought in players like Liam Delap, João Pedro, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, along with future stars Dário Essugo, Estêvão, Mamadou Sarr, and Kendry Páez, Chelsea are now shifting focus to generating income by offloading players.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea are open to offers for several players who were out on loan last season, including Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, and João Félix:

“Chelsea are open to offers for a number of players who spent last season out on loan, including Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling and João Félix.”

Additionally, the club is set to earn around £52 million from Noni Madueke’s sale to Arsenal:

“Chelsea are also close to raising £52million from Noni Madueke’s sale to Arsenal.”
— The Athletic

Strasbourg eye Chelsea’s young keeper

With Petrović departing, Strasbourg have once again looked to Chelsea in search of a suitable replacement. According to L’Équipe, the Ligue 1 side is keen on bringing in 19-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders on a season-long loan. It’s reported that head coach Liam Rosenior has approved the move.