Strasbourg president Marc Keller does not think Djordje Petrovic will be returning to the Ligue 1 club during this summer transfer window.
Petrovic, 25, spent last season on loan from Chelsea in the French top flight. The goalkeeper was ever-present for Liam Rosenior's side, who qualified for the Conference League.
Keller, though, believes the Serbia international can play for a Champions League or Europa League club next season. He kept ten clean sheets at Strasbourg, only bettered by Brice Samba (12 - seven at Lens and five for Rennes after moving in January) and Lucas Chevalier of Lille (11).
Petrovic certainly impressed Keller. "We need a goalkeeper because Petrovic has left for Chelsea," the Strasbourg president said during a guest appearance on the RMC show After Foot.
" I don't think (he'll return to Strasbourg) simply because he's an incredibly good player. I think he can probably aim for a Champions League or Europa League club, at Chelsea or elsewhere if he were to leave Chelsea."
Keller also spoke about Kendry Paez, who trained with Strasbourg during the season ahead of joining Chelsea next summer. The teenager is said to have made a "strong impression" while working with the club.
"He's a young player and these training sessions in Strasbourg allow him to see a little bit of the conditions we have," Keller said. "And it's true that the examples of Andrey Santos and Petrovic give ideas to the players because you see them happy and having a great season."
On the prospect of a loan move for the Ecuador international he describes as "an extremely talented young player who has impressed everyone", the Strasbourg president acknowledged a deal is "possible" but conceded "it's not certain yet". Keller stated: "Those are discussions we'll have with the management at BlueCo and Chelsea to find the three players who will come and strengthen our squad."