Chelsea have agreed a £7.5 million deal to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentina international set to undergo a medical in London before completing his move to Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old is being brought in to strengthen Chelsea’s goalkeeping department following growing concerns over Robert Sanchez’s performances, particularly during Monday’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham.
Sanchez was at fault for Fulham’s first goal after allowing Josh King’s effort to slip through at his near post. He was then involved in another costly mistake after spilling a second-half shot into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to pull another goal back.
The decision to sign Martinez represents a significant change in Chelsea’s position on Sanchez. The club had previously been keen to continue backing the Spaniard as their first-choice goalkeeper, but the latest performances appear to have convinced the Blues to strengthen the position before the transfer deadline.
Chelsea will now have Martinez competing with Sanchez and Mike Penders, who joined from Genk for £17 million and is expected to make his debut against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.
For Villa, Martinez’s departure has become possible following the arrival of Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30 million earlier this month. The Argentine had also been close to joining Juventus earlier in the window, although that move collapsed over concerns about a finger injury.
The transfer is another example of the increasingly close relationship between Chelsea and Villa. Chelsea previously signed Morgan Rogers for a club-record £117 million, while Alejandro Garnacho moved to Villa on an initial loan. Nicolas Jackson is also completing a medical at Villa Park as he prepares to join Unai Emery’s side.
With the deadline approaching, Martinez’s arrival could dramatically change the goalkeeping hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Could Emiliano Martinez’s arrival finally bring an end to Robert Sanchez’s reign as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper?
