AliousChelsea Star Prefers Galatasaray Over Sunderland – €25m Price Tag Throws Transfer Into Chaos
Djordje Petrovic appears set to reject a potential move to Sunderland in favour of joining Turkish giants Galatasaray—yet Chelsea’s hefty €25 million (£21m/\$29m) valuation is proving to be a significant roadblock.
What’s the Latest?
As reported by Turkish outlet *Fanatik*, Sunderland had reached a preliminary agreement with Chelsea for the Serbian goalkeeper’s transfer. However, Galatasaray have now entered the fray and are pushing hard to secure Petrovic’s signature. The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, is said to prefer a move to Istanbul over a permanent switch to the Stadium of Light.
Why the Hold-Up?
Despite Galatasaray’s serious interest, Chelsea’s high asking price is threatening to derail any deal. The Blues reportedly want €25 million to offload the Serbian international, a fee that the Super Lig champions believe is inflated. Chelsea are standing firm, though, arguing the valuation is necessary to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play and Premier League Profit & Sustainability obligations.
Galatasaray’s Push
Determined to land their top goalkeeper target, Galatasaray initially proposed a loan deal covering €5 million in wages and including a €15m option to buy. Chelsea rejected the offer, prompting the Turkish club to increase their wage coverage to €7.5m in an effort to get the deal over the line.
Background on Petrovic
Petrovic was one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 during his stint with Strasbourg last season, enhancing his reputation as a reliable and athletic shot-stopper. His performances did not go unnoticed, and Galatasaray placed him at the top of their shortlist as they look to reinforce their goalkeeping department ahead of a new campaign in both domestic and European competition.
Chelsea’s Transfer Landscape
While the Blues have been active in strengthening their squad—signing the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sarr, and Dario Essugo—they are also working on balancing the books. Petrovic, among others, is expected to be offloaded this summer as Chelsea continue their squad restructuring.
What’s Next?
The coming days will be crucial. With Galatasaray unwilling to meet Chelsea’s full asking price and Petrovic preferring Turkey over England, Sunderland may be forced to turn their attention elsewhere. Chelsea, on the other hand, will need to decide whether to compromise on their valuation or risk keeping a player who’s ready for a new challenge.
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