Chelsea launch RECORD transfer bid for Man Utd target
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 17 Aug 2023 11:25 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are willing to break another transfer record this summer, with the Blues lining up a bid for New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic according to reports.
The Blues allowed Kepa Arrizabalaga to join Real Madrid on loan as cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois, but this deal has left the Stamford Bridge club needing cover in goal, with Edouard Mendy having joined the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer.
Robert Sanchez has arrived from Brighton, but Chelsea are understaffed in goal, with Lucas Bergstrom acting as backup for Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Liverpool.
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The Telegraph states that Chelsea are interested in Petrovic to come in and act as backup, with the keeper having played 48 times for the MLS side since joining in April 2022, when he offered a replacement for Arsenal’s Matt Turner.
Under contract until 2025, Petrovic has also been closely linked with Manchester United. The Red Devils were associated with the goalkeeper earlier this month, with Erik ten Hag reportedly wanting him as an understudy to Andre Onana.
Sky Sports, meanwhile, reports that it will take an MLS record transfer to secure the services of Petkovic from New England.
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What is the MLS transfer record?
Miguel Almiron’s transfer from Atlanta to Newcastle in January 2019 currently holds the mark of the biggest MLS deal ever, with the Paraguay international star having moved for €24 million.
The only other sale that the US league has made that is greater than €10m is the deal that took Alphonso Davies from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich for €14m. Coincidentally, this was the same month that Almiron moved to Newcastle.
If Chelsea are to break the MLS transfer record, then, their bid for Petkovic will be around the €25m mark.
