Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign Emiliano Martinez on a permanent transfer worth £7.5million.
The deal has now received a ‘here we go’ confirmation after rapidly progressing during the final days of the summer transfer window.
Martinez gave Chelsea the green light on Wednesday before the two clubs reached an agreement over the transfer fee on Thursday.
It represents significant movement less than 48 hours after the Argentina international was initially offered to Chelsea.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign Emiliano Martínez, HERE WE GO! 🔵🇦🇷
Club to club agreement with Aston Villa on fee worth £7.5m for permanent move.
Dibu gave green light to #CFC yesterday and clubs agreed on terms today, as @TeleFootball reported. pic.twitter.com/YXs62PwB2s
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2026
Chelsea reach Emi Martinez agreement
Chelsea’s pursuit accelerated quickly after Aston Villa made Zion Suzuki their new first-choice goalkeeper.
David Ornstein initially reported that Martinez had been offered to Chelsea, with the Blues considering whether to move for the 33-year-old.
ReadChelsea subsequently reported that Martinez was available as Chelsea reconsidered their goalkeeper plans.
The Telegraph then reported that Chelsea had opened discussions with Villa over a permanent deal, while talks were also held with the goalkeeper’s representatives.
Martinez made his position clear.
The World Cup winner wanted the Stamford Bridge move and gave Chelsea his approval before club-to-club negotiations accelerated.
A verbal agreement has now been reached for a fee worth £7.5million.
That is even lower than the £8.6m figure previously suggested for his departure from Villa.
Martinez deal changes Chelsea goalkeeper hierarchy
The agreement creates an immediate decision for Xabi Alonso.
Robert Sanchez started Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham but made two errors during the 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage.
Mike Penders was subsequently handed his Chelsea debut against Luton Town in Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie.
ReadChelsea explored how Chelsea’s sudden pursuit of Martinez had already created a major dilemma around £17m goalkeeper Penders.
That question becomes considerably more important now an agreement has been reached.
Martinez would arrive at Stamford Bridge with more than 250 Aston Villa appearances behind him and extensive experience at the highest level.
He helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most experienced goalkeepers.
At 33, he would also represent a very different signing from Chelsea’s recent focus on younger players.
The £7.5m price significantly reduces the financial risk.
Chelsea must now decide how Sanchez and Penders fit around a goalkeeper who would arrive expecting to compete immediately for the No.1 position.
The deal is not yet officially complete, with the remaining formal stages still required before Martinez can be announced as a Chelsea player.
However, the verbal club-to-club agreement means the transfer has now progressed far beyond the exploratory discussions which began earlier this week.
Enzo Fernandez asked not to play for Chelsea against Luton
Enzo Fernandez asked not to play for Chelsea against Luton
Chelsea XI vs Luton: Penders debuts as Enzo misses squad
Chelsea XI vs Luton: Penders debuts as Enzo misses squad