Chelsea agree £7.5m fee for Villa’s Martinez

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for a fee of £7.5 million. The 33-year-old Argentine international is expected to undergo a medical in London, joining the goalkeeping department at Stamford Bridge. The deal comes after doubts about Robert Sanchez's performances, particularly following Chelsea's narrow 3-2 victory over Fulham, where Sanchez allowed goals from Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia.

This move marks a significant change in the club's stance, with management previously supporting Sanchez but now opting for Martinez before the transfer deadline. Chelsea also have Mike Penders, a £17 million signing from Genk, as another potential option, who is set to debut in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town on Thursday. Villa had been willing to sell Martinez since signing Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30 million earlier in the month.

This signing is part of a growing trend of transfers between the two clubs, with Chelsea previously acquiring forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117 million and Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea on an initial loan deal. Nicolas Jackson, valued at approximately £65 million, is also completing a medical at Villa Park as he prepares to rejoin his former Villarreal manager, Unai Emery.

There was a previous attempt by Juventus to sign Martinez, but the bid fell through due to concerns over a finger injury. Juventus subsequently signed Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario on loan instead.