Djordje Petrovic Ready to Snub Sunderland for Move Abroad — But Chelsea’s €25m Demand Remains a Major Stumbling Block

Chelsea Goalkeeper Prefers Galatasaray Switch Over Sunderland Move, But Transfer Talks Stall Over €25m Price Tag

In a summer filled with transfer drama, goalkeeping situations often go under the radar—until they don’t. That’s exactly what’s happening now with Djordje Petrovic, the Serbian international and Chelsea’s highly-rated backup shot-stopper, who finds himself at the center of a three-way transfer tug-of-war involving Sunderland, Galatasaray, and Chelsea.

Despite earlier reports suggesting a deal was nearly done with Championship hopefuls Sunderland, Petrovic appears to be leaning heavily towards a move abroad, with Turkish giants Galatasaray making their interest known. However, Chelsea’s hefty €25 million valuation is proving to be a serious obstacle for any suitor, especially Galatasaray, who are keen but cautious.

So, what’s really going on? Let’s break it down.

What Happened?

Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea FC – Premier League

According to multiple reports in Turkey, particularly via Fanatik, Sunderland and Chelsea have already shaken hands on the framework of a deal for Petrovic. It looked like a done deal at first glance. The Black Cats are ambitious, aiming for Premier League promotion next season, and saw Petrovic as a key figure between the sticks.

But there was a twist.

Enter Galatasaray, reigning champions of the Turkish Süper Lig, and a club with clear Champions League ambitions. As soon as they got wind of Chelsea’s willingness to move Petrovic, they entered the race and reportedly offered the Serbian goalkeeper a more enticing proposal—both financially and competitively.

From Petrovic’s perspective, the choice was fairly simple: swap West London for the bright lights of European football at Rams Park, or head to Sunderland to play in England’s second tier.

A Move Abroad Over Sunderland?

Sources close to the player suggest that Petrovic has already made his preference clear. Despite Sunderland’s offer being competitive, the allure of playing for one of Turkey’s biggest clubs—and possibly featuring in the Champions League next season—has swung his decision in favor of Galatasaray.

It makes sense. Petrovic spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and was one of the top-performing goalkeepers in Ligue 1. His shot-stopping abilities, command in the box, and calmness under pressure were praised consistently throughout the French campaign. With that in mind, a step up in terms of European visibility seems a natural next move.

Sunderland, despite their efforts, just don’t offer the same platform.

Chelsea’s €25 Million Price Tag: A Problem for Galatasaray

Now, this is where things get complicated. While Galatasaray are more than willing to bring Petrovic in, they aren’t prepared to match Chelsea’s €25 million valuation, which the London club insists is necessary to meet Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) obligations.

To be fair to Chelsea, they aren’t completely inflexible. Galatasaray initially offered a loan deal with a €15 million buy option and agreed to cover €5 million in wages. Chelsea rejected that outright.

Undeterred, the Turkish side came back with an improved package, now willing to cover €7.5 million of the player’s wages and revisit the buy clause. However, as of now, Chelsea continue to hold firm, not budging from their €25 million stance.

This hardline position is understandable given the current financial climate and the club’s need to comply with regulations. But it could also cost them a sale.

The Bigger Picture: Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy

This summer, Chelsea have been incredibly busy, as usual. The club has already signed Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, Joao Pedro from Brighton, Dario Essugo from Sporting CP, and Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg.

They’re not done yet either. Jamie Gittens is reportedly close to sealing a big-money move to Stamford Bridge, and more departures are expected as Chelsea look to trim their bloated squad and reduce their wage bill.

Petrovic is among those likely to leave. With Robert Sánchez and potentially another goalkeeper in the mix, the Serbian’s path to first-team football at Stamford Bridge is all but blocked. Selling him makes sense—for both financial and sporting reasons.

But again, Chelsea’s valuation could make that difficult. At 24, Petrovic is highly rated, but €25 million is a steep price for a player with limited Premier League experience, especially for a club like Galatasaray that has to manage its budget carefully despite its stature.

Galatasaray’s Determination

Galatasaray aren’t walking away. In fact, sources in Istanbul suggest that Petrovic is now their top goalkeeping target, and the club’s executives are exploring creative ways to structure a deal. They’re even considering a multi-year loan agreement with an obligatory buy clause, or the inclusion of performance-based incentives to bridge the financial gap.

It helps that Petrovic himself is reportedly eager to make the move. Galatasaray is offering him not just first-team football, but the opportunity to compete for titles, play in Europe, and raise his profile for Serbia’s national team heading into the 2026 World Cup cycle.

That sort of motivation matters, especially for a player at this stage in his career.

What Happens Next?

Liam Delap

At this point, the ball is firmly in Chelsea’s court. Galatasaray have made their position clear. Petrovic wants the move. Sunderland have been left on the sidelines, waiting for a final answer that might not come.

Chelsea must now decide: dig in on the €25 million demand and risk keeping a player who doesn’t want to stay, or get creative and structure a deal that satisfies all parties.

Either way, a decision is expected within the next week, especially with pre-season fast approaching.

Petrovic is currently training individually, waiting for clarity. Those close to him say he’s relaxed, focused, and optimistic the right solution will come soon.

Final Thoughts: A Talented Keeper, A Tricky Situation

Djordje Petrovic is a goalkeeper with all the tools: strong hands, sharp reflexes, good distribution, and the kind of calm confidence that top teams crave. He’s at the point in his career where sitting on the bench no longer cuts it.

And right now, Galatasaray seems like the perfect fit. But football isn’t just about fit—it’s about figures, clauses, and contracts.

Whether Chelsea sticks to their guns or eventually meets Galatasaray somewhere in the middle will define how this summer saga ends. For now, Petrovic remains a Blue—but that could change quickly.

One thing’s clear: he won’t be going to Sunderland anytime soon.