Wolves and Aston Villa Show Interest in £25m-Rated Chelsea Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic After Stellar Ligue 1 Season
Premier League clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa are actively exploring options to strengthen their goalkeeping departments ahead of the 2025–26 season, and Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic has emerged as a top target. Both Midlands-based clubs have reportedly “registered interest” in the 25-year-old Serbian international, who made a strong impression during his loan spell in France last season.
Petrovic Draws Premier League Attention After Breakout Year in France
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Wolves and Villa are among several clubs monitoring Petrovic’s situation. The goalkeeper spent the 2024–25 campaign on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, where he quickly established himself as a standout performer under manager Liam Rosenior. His efforts between the posts played a pivotal role in Strasbourg securing European qualification, raising his profile significantly across the continent.
Petrovic made 31 appearances in all competitions for the French side, demonstrating composure, reflexes, and leadership well beyond his years. His form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Leeds United, Brentford, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus, and Fiorentina also reportedly keeping tabs on his availability this summer.
A Critical Summer at Chelsea: What’s Next for Petrovic?
Despite returning to Chelsea for pre-season training, the west London club faces a decision regarding Petrovic’s future. The Serbian keeper is valued at around £25 million and remains under contract at Stamford Bridge, but with fierce competition for the starting goalkeeper position, Chelsea may look to offload him—either on loan again or through a permanent deal.
Petrovic joined Chelsea in 2023 after impressing in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution. He made the move from MLS to the Premier League as a relatively unknown talent outside the United States but has since proven himself in a European top league. His steady rise has made him an increasingly attractive option for clubs in need of a dependable and dynamic goalkeeper.
Why Wolves and Villa Are in the Market for a Goalkeeper
At Molineux, new head coach Vitor Pereira is preparing for his first full campaign in charge and has already seen the departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer. With Wolves looking to revamp parts of their squad, particularly in goal, Petrovic could provide serious competition for current number one José Sá. Sá’s form was inconsistent last season, and with no clear long-term backup in place, Wolves view Petrovic as a potential future starter.
Meanwhile, over at Villa Park, manager Unai Emery continues to shape a team capable of competing at the highest levels, including in Europe. While World Cup winner Emiliano “Emi” Martínez remains Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper, the club is beginning to look toward the future. Given Martínez’s growing international commitments and increasing transfer speculation, Villa are reportedly planning ahead. Petrovic could either serve as a capable backup or be groomed as the eventual successor to the Argentine.
From Serbia to Stamford Bridge: Petrovic’s Rapid Rise
Born in Serbia, Djordje Petrovic began his career at Cukaricki, where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his first-team debut as a teenager. He made 86 appearances for the Serbian side, earning a reputation as one of the region’s top young goalkeepers.
In 2022, he made the leap to the United States to join New England Revolution in MLS. There, he quickly became one of the league’s top shot-stoppers, impressing with his commanding presence and distribution skills. His MLS performances caught the attention of Chelsea, who secured his signature in the summer of 2023.
Upon signing for the Blues, Petrovic expressed his excitement, saying:
> “I’m so happy to be at Chelsea and I’m really excited to get started at this club. It’s a big step for me and it’s always been a dream of mine to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Today I have achieved that goal and I’m so happy. Playing in the Premier League is something I’m really looking forward to doing and I hope to learn many things here at Chelsea.”
At the time of his arrival, Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart praised his potential:
> “We are very pleased to welcome Djordje to the club. His performances in MLS have earned deserved praise and recognition – and have prepared him for the challenge of playing for Chelsea. Djordje improves an already strong goalkeeping team. We look forward to watching him work under Mauricio Pochettino, goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez, and the rest of the first-team staff.”
The Road Ahead
As the summer transfer window opens fully on June 16, both Wolves and Aston Villa are expected to step up their interest. Whether Petrovic will remain part of Chelsea’s plans or be allowed to move elsewhere remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: his performances in Ligue 1 and growing international experience have made him one of the most intriguing goalkeeping prospects in Europe this summer.
If either Wolves or Villa are willing to meet Chelsea’s £25 million asking price, Petrovic could find himself as the new number one—or a strong contender for the spot—in the Premier League next season.