The 33-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge on a two-year deal bringing to an end his six-year stay at Villa
Bookmark popover
Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m deal
Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m deal (PA)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read moreSupport Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
**Your support makes all the difference.**Read more
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m.
The 33-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge on a two-year deal bringing to an end his six-year stay at Villa.
Martinez’s representatives made contact with Chelsea on Wednesday about a possible move and things accelerated quickly to finalise a deal for the goalkeeper, who will likely become the club’s number one.
Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki earlier in the transfer window and had been looking to offload Martinez. A proposed move to Juventus fell through earlier in August.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been under renewed scrutiny following Robert Sanchez’s poor performance in Monday’s 3-2 win against Fulham when he was badly at fault in allowing a tame shot from Josh King to squeeze through him.
It had been hoped that 19-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and made his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, would eventually prove able to step up and challenge Sanchez for the number one shirt.
However, the possibility of signing an established Premier League keeper and an experienced international presents obvious advantages for a club looking to challenge for the title this season, and Chelsea have opted to move .
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Monday’s game at Craven Cottage, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible. It can’t happen.”
Fellow pundit Gary Neville added: “The reality of it is, Chelsea do need a new goalkeeper and it’s one thing I’m surprised they haven’t deal with this in the transfer widow. That’s the last piece.”
Sanchez’s performances have been an issue that has haunted successive Chelsea managers.
Mauricio Pochettino dropped him as his number one in 2024, preferring the relatively untested Serbia international Djordje Petrovic, whilst Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior also left him out for periods in repose to poor form.
Villa have been open to selling Martinez, who joined from Arsenal for £17million in 2020, as they look to lower the average age of their squad.
The need for the club to sell this summer – with Morgan Rogers leaving for Chelsea for £117m, and Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne also sold – has been well documented as they look to comply with the financial rules of both UEFA and the Premier League.