Bournemouth have reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic for £25 million from Chelsea. The 25-year-old is set to undergo a medical next week and is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Premier League club.
Petrovic has been eager to secure regular first-team football and made his intentions clear by declining to participate in the Club World Cup with Chelsea. His determination to play more consistently was a key factor in pushing through the move.
This transfer marks Bournemouth’s second addition of the summer. The club recently brought in French left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes for £14 million, as they continue to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
Petrovic is set to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea. Kepa has since joined Arsenal permanently after the Gunners activated his £5 million release clause earlier this month.
The Serbia international had a standout 2024-25 season on loan at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, where he was named the club’s player of the season. His performances drew interest from other clubs, including Sunderland, Monaco, and Strasbourg, but Bournemouth have successfully secured his signature.
Strasbourg, like Chelsea, is under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Petrovic joined Chelsea in 2023 for £14 million from MLS side New England Revolution. However, he found opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge and was deemed not to be strong enough with the ball at his feet by manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite that criticism, Petrovic made noticeable strides in his distribution and composure during his loan in France, proving his ability to adapt and improve. His development abroad was instrumental in attracting interest from multiple clubs.
With this move, Petrovic gets the chance to become a first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League. Bournemouth, meanwhile, strengthen their squad with a young but experienced keeper eager to prove himself at the top level.
Back at Chelsea, the goalkeeping options have evolved, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen remaining at the club. They are joined by summer signing Mike Penders, all three currently part of the squad competing in the United States, where Chelsea are facing Paris Saint-Germain in the final of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.
Petrovic’s departure clears space in the squad and may offer Chelsea more clarity in their goalkeeping hierarchy. For Bournemouth, his arrival signals a step forward in their ambitions for the upcoming campaign, providing a reliable and motivated presence between the posts.
