Emiliano Martinez is in London to undergo his Chelsea medical ahead of completing a £7.5million transfer from Aston Villa.
Chelsea reached a verbal agreement with Villa for the Argentina international on Thursday after Martinez gave the move his approval.
The deal has now progressed to its final stages, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the 33-year-old will complete medical tests before signing his Chelsea contract.
Martinez is expected to agree terms until June 2028, with Chelsea holding an option for a further season.
🔵🇦🇷 All documents have been signed by Chelsea and Aston Villa for Emiliano Martínez deal.
£7.5m fee to Aston Villa. pic.twitter.com/33TqdNwerx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2026
Emi Martinez arrives for Chelsea medical
The move has developed rapidly since Martinez was first offered to Chelsea earlier this week.
ReadChelsea reported on Thursday that Chelsea had agreed a £7.5m deal with Aston Villa for Martinez after the goalkeeper gave Stamford Bridge the green light.
Romano has now confirmed that Martinez is in London for his medical, with the contract signing due to follow once those checks are completed.
The Guardian previously reported that the agreed contract would run for two years with the possibility of a third, matching the latest details of a deal through to 2028 plus an extension option.
Only the remaining formalities now stand between Martinez and becoming a Chelsea player.
Chelsea goalkeeper competition intensifies
Martinez’s arrival will immediately increase the pressure on Chelsea’s existing goalkeepers.
Robert Sanchez started the Premier League opener against Fulham but made two costly errors during the 3-2 victory.
Mike Penders then received his competitive Chelsea debut against Luton Town and kept a clean sheet in Thursday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win.
ReadChelsea has already examined how Penders’ encouraging debut complicates Chelsea’s plan for Martinez.
Xabi Alonso has also confirmed he has decided who will start against Brighton on Sunday, although he refused to reveal his choice publicly.
Martinez will bring extensive Premier League experience to that competition after spending six years with Aston Villa.
The World Cup winner has been Villa’s established first-choice goalkeeper but became available after the Midlands club completed the signing of Zion Suzuki.
Chelsea have taken advantage at a relatively modest £7.5m fee.
Martinez completing his medical would leave the official club announcement as the final major stage of a transfer which has progressed from initial discussions to the verge of completion within days.
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