As per latest transfer news**,** Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is set to join Chelsea. The Argentina international will undergo his medical in London soon. There were concerns over Robert Sanchez’s performances and hence the move happened, and it gives Xabi Alonso another experienced option in goal.
Chelsea agree Emiliano Martinez deal
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign Martinez for £7.5m. As reported by BBC Sport, The 33-year-old is to undergo a medical before his switch to the Blues. The deal will be a two-year contract with a third-year extension option. Martinez joins Chelsea’s goalkeeping group as Alonso weighs his options.
Robert Sanchez made two big errors in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham. The Spaniard was unable to stop Josh King’s shot and proceeded to make another mistake that helped Gonzalo Garcia score. Sanchez has been Chelsea’s main goalkeeper since joining in 2023. However, his recent mistakes raised questions over his place as Alonso’s first choice, and hence Martinez was chosen.
Chelsea also have Mike Penders, who joined from Genk for around £17 million. The 21-year-old is highly rated by the club. He spent last season on loan at Strasbourg. Martinez’s arrival could allow Penders to keep developing without facing too much pressure.
Martinez brings experience
The experience Martinez has gained over the years is one of the key factors that makes the change logical for Chelsea. Ever since he came to Villa from Arsenal back in 2020, he has played 257 matches and established himself as one of the key players at the club contributing to their Champions League qualification.
Martinez was also part of the team that won the Europa League. His experience in big games could help Chelsea as Alonso builds his squad. Martinez’s future at Villa had been unclear since his move to Juventus fell through earlier this month. Villa had already signed Zion Suzuki from Parma as their new No. 1, leaving Martinez without a clear role in the team.
Juventus eventually turned to Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario instead. Martinez provides a short-term fix for Chelsea while Penders continues to develop. At 33, the Argentine can provide experience without blocking the younger goalkeeper’s long-term pathway.
Chelsea Football Stadium - Stamford Bridge
Chelsea Football Stadium - Stamford Bridge
Emiliano Martinez’s Aston Villa stats for the 2025/26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Appearances Clean Sheets Saves Goals Conceded
Premier League 32 7 95 39
FA Cup 1 0 – 3
Europa League 11 6 30 7
Chelsea strengthen goalkeeping options
The move is another important decision for Chelsea as they prepare for a busy season of football. The goalkeeper position is another area of focus for the Blues after having already made multiple changes to their squad. If Alonso would want to replace Sanchez in goal, Martinez could prove to be a more dependable option. It further creates competition for the starting role for Chelsea, which should help improve the players’ performances in general.
Furthermore, the deal is another development in the ongoing business relationship between Chelsea and Villa. The clubs have had numerous transfers back and forth of players in the recent past, such as Morgan Rogers moving to Chelsea and Nicolas Jackson’s impending move the other way.
For Villa, selling Martinez allows them to move forward with Suzuki as their first-choice goalkeeper. For Chelsea, the signing provides an experienced goalkeeper who has performed at the highest level. Martinez will now look to complete his medical before officially joining Chelsea. His arrival could quickly become one of the more important moves of the window for a club aiming to compete at the top of the Premier League.