Djordje Petrovic is set to become Chelsea’s latest signing following the departures of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer but will face a tight deadline to be able to face Luton Town in the Premier League.
Chelsea have completed many transfers already this summer as the club’s spending nears £1 billion since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover in May 2022. With little over one week remaining before the transfer window shuts once again, that seems unlikely to stop for the moment.
Having seen Edouard Mendy depart earlier this summer, the Blues completed the transfer of Robert Sanchez after returning from their pre-season tour. The Spaniard was expected to compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga for a spot in the side for 2023/24, with Mauricio Pochettino suggesting Kepa was ahead in his bid to make the starting XI having spent more time with the coaching staff.
Days later, the 28-year-old was left out of the squad to face Liverpool on the opening day of the season and soon after completed his loan to Real Madrid. As a result, Lucas Bergstrom has taken a spot among the substitutes in Chelsea’s opening two matches of the season.
With a new goalkeeper deemed a priority even when Mendy and Kepa remained a Stamford Bridge, it is little surprise that the club are in the market for another. Chelsea are set to sign New England Revolution stopper Djordje Petrovic on a deal that could reach £14million football.london understands.
The Blues are set to pay £12.5million for the Serbia international who has featured 43 times in the MLS, with a further £1.5million available in add-ons for the 23-year-old. Petrovic would appear set to arrive to compete with Sanchez to start in goal at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea next face Luton Town in their search for a first Premier League win of the season, where Sanchez is set to start in net for a third game in a row following his arrival in Brighton. However, it is feasible that the Blues get a deal over the line in time for Petrovic to possibly be in contention.
The west London side will need to have Petrovic registered with the club by 12pm on Thursday for the goalkeeper to take his place in the squad at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Premier League rules state: “Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the Board of all duly completed documents required by these Rules to effect the registration of a Player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first League Match in which the Club making the application intends him to play, save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the Player is eligible to play for a Club in a League Match).”
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