18 August 2023 , 22:22
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Chelsea are closing in on their ninth summer signing after opening talks to sign former Manchester United target Djordje Petrovic.
The Serbian goalkeeper, who plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, is one of the most highly rated young goalkeepers on the planet and would provide welcome competition for £25million signing Robert Sanchez after the departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Édouard Mendy this summer.
Petrovic was heavily scouted by United, who instead decided to sign a more senior option in the form of Andre Onana from Inter Milan. But it appears only a matter of time before the full international is snapped up by an elite club.
Multiple reports suggest Chelsea have opened talks with the Revolution. Although a bid is yet to be made, there is confidence a deal can be struck for around £11million.
Blues' boss Mauricio Pochettino's need for an additional goalkeeper has grown after Arrizabalaga's loan to Real Madrid and an injury to third-choice Marcus Bettinelli.
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"That is a good question because we are thinking of that," the Argentine said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's visit to West Ham United.
“We are thinking and exploring all of the situations and possibilities on the market. The club is assessing all the options. At the moment, we are exploring all of the options that are on the market and there is still no decision."
New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was eyed by Manchester United earlier this summer. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Petrovic, 23, stands at 6ft 4in and has played twice for his country, earning rave reviews from players and coaches alike. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner, a former teammate in New England, said: "What I’ve seen from him is that he’s really talented. He’s way more talented than I was at his age, you know? He’s taller than me. He’s athletic.”
Kevin Hitchcock, New England's goalkeeping coach and a former Chelsea goalkeeper believes Petrovic has the mentality required to play at the highest level.
"There will be a lot of clubs, not just in England, but all over Europe, that are looking at this boy now," Hitchcock told Goal. "But that doesn't faze Djordje now. You just have to keep doing what you're doing. Day in and day out, work hard and he will get his reward."
Chelsea have splashed the cash once again this summer, with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Axel Disasi among the big-money additions to Pochettino's squad. The club has been buoyed by an encouraging performance in the opening-day draw with Liverpool as the Blues try to bounce back from a miserable 12th-place finish last term.