Chelsea Football Club has reached an agreement on a £7.5 million transfer fee to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa. The 33-year-old Argentina international is scheduled to undergo a medical examination in London to finalize the move.
The acquisition aims to strengthen Chelsea's goalkeeping options, particularly following recent concerns over the performances of Robert Sanchez. Sanchez, who has been Chelsea's primary goalkeeper since 2023, faced criticism after a 3-2 victory over Fulham, where he allowed a shot to slip through his grasp and subsequently spilled another effort, leading to an opposing team's goal.
Despite previous intentions to support Sanchez, Chelsea's management has opted to pursue Martinez shortly before the transfer window deadline. The club also has Mike Penders, a £17 million signing from Genk, as another goalkeeping option. Penders is expected to make his debut in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town on Thursday.
Mazinez's potential departure from Aston Villa comes after the club signed Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for approximately £30 million earlier this month. The transfer between Chelsea and Aston Villa is the latest in a series of recent dealings between the two clubs. Chelsea previously signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117 million, and Alejandro Garnacho made a loan move to Aston Villa last month. Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65 million, was also completing a medical at Villa Park on Thursday.
The clubs are known to maintain a close working relationship, having engaged in other deals, including a widely reported 'PSR swap' involving defender Ian Maatsen joining Aston Villa and Omari Kellyman moving to Chelsea, with Kellyman now at Strasbourg.
Earlier in the transfer window, Juventus had expressed interest in signing Martinez, but the deal faltered due to concerns over a finger injury. The Italian club subsequently signed Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham on loan.