Chelsea agree deal to sign keeper Martinez from Aston Villa

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Martinez is heading to Stamford Bridge for £7.5m and the transfer could be completed by the weekend.

The 33-year-old won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and has made over 200 appearances in the Premier League, establishing himself as one of the division’s most prominent goalkeepers.

The move offers Chelsea a solution in goal, with current number one Robert Sanchez having faced criticism following errors in recent matches, including their Premier League opener against Fulham.

Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal for £20m in September 2020, having come through the Gunners’ academy after signing from Independiente in Argentina as a teenager.

He made just 15 appearances during a decade at Arsenal, with loan spells at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Getafe, before establishing himself at Villa Park.

Martinez has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina, and was named the world’s best goalkeeper at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson is set to move in the other direction – earlier on Thursday, Villa agreed a deal to sign the striker from Chelsea.