{
  "id": 3893721,
  "title": "Chelsea agree £7.5m fee for Villa’s Martinez",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/chelsea-agree-7-5m-fee-for-villas-martinez-3893721",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T04:49:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/chelsea-agree-7-5m-fee-for-villas-martinez/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chelsea have secured the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for a fee of £7.5m. The Argentina international, who is 33 years old, is scheduled to undergo a medical examination in London. This move aims to bolster the goalkeeping options at Stamford Bridge, following concerns over the performances of Robert Sanchez. Sanchez, who has been the club's first-choice goalkeeper since 2023, made two significant errors against Fulham, allowing goals to Josh King and Gonzalo García. The decision to sign Martinez represents a significant shift in Chelsea's approach, as they previously favored Sanchez but opted to pursue a new signing just days before the transfer deadline. Mike Penders, a £17m signing from Genk, is also among Chelsea's available options, with his debut expected in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town. Villa initiated talks to sell Martinez after acquiring Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for approximately £30m earlier this month. This signing follows a series of transfers between the two clubs, including Chelsea's £117m acquisition of Morgan Rogers from Villa and the opposite transfer of Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65m, is also set to undergo a medical at Villa Park before reuniting with his former Villarreal manager, Unai Emery. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa remains strong, with their earlier involvement in a 'PSR swap' deal, where Chelsea received Ian Maatsen and Strasbourg's Omari Kellyman in exchange for Villa's defender. Earlier, Juventus had shown interest in Martinez, but the deal fell through due to concerns over a finger injury. Instead, Juventus signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.",
  "summary": "Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Argentina international, 33, is set to undergo a medical in London and strengthen the goalkeeping group at Stamford Bridge. It follows concerns over the performances of Robert Sanchez, particularly in the wake of Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham. Sanchez, who has been Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper since […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Transfer: Emi Martinez gives green light for Chelsea move",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/transfer-emi-martinez-gives-green-light-for-chelsea-move",
        "published": "2026-08-27T08:35:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Chelsea agree £7.5m fee for Villa's Martinez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/chelsea-agree-7-5m-fee-for-villas-martinez",
        "published": "2026-08-27T18:28:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Chelsea agree deal to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/chelsea-agree-deal-to-sign-goalkeeper-emiliano-martinez",
        "published": "2026-08-27T22:18:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Chelsea agree £7.5m fee for Villa’s Martinez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/chelsea-agree-7-5m-fee-for-villas-martinez",
        "published": "2026-08-28T00:36:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}