Fiorentina and Strasbourg interested in Petrovic

Chelsea have begun finding loan options for goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who is deemed surplus to requirements following the signing of Filip Jorgensen.

The Serb, 24, was effectively Chelsea's number one last season after making 31 appearances in his debut campaign having joined in a £12.5m deal from New England Revolution.

But new manager Enzo Maresca has signed a goalkeeper with different attributes.

Fiorentina and Strasbourg, the latter of which shares the same Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership group as Chelsea, are both interested in signing Petrovic on loan.

But the situation is complicated by Petrovic's confusion at his development plan at Stamford Bridge, while he is cautious about dropping down to a lesser level or becoming a back-up option elsewhere.

Internally, Strasbourg have highlighted Petrovic as their perfect option to be a number one on a season-long loan deal.

They are ready to add a third and final loanee from Chelsea, which is the maximum allowed in Fifa's rules, having already re-signed midfielder Andrey Santos on loan from Chelsea and with Caleb Wiley's loan deal to the Alsace club is expected to be announced tomorrow.

Yet, Strasbourg have also sounded out Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, aware that Petrovic could opt to sit on the second year of his six-year contract at Stamford Bridge until a bigger club comes along.

Robert Sanchez and Jorgensen, who was signed in a £20.7m deal, will battle for the goalkeeper's spot at Stamford Bridge this season, with Marcus Bettinelli to back them up.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who remains the world's most expensive goalkeeper after his £71m move in 2018, is also deemed surplus to requirements and in the last year of his contract.