Emiliano Martinez could sign for Chelsea in the last few days of the summer transfer window
Emiliano Martinez could sign for Chelsea in the last few days of the summer transfer window(Image: (Photo by Tullio Puglia - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Chelsea are considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the latest twist over the Argentina international's future. Martinez was the subject of a move from Juventus earlier in the summer but despite talks the move did not materialise.
Now, according to the Athletic, Chelsea are looking at the 33-year-old after he was offered to them by Villa as they look to shift him from the wage bill.
Speculation has mounted that Chelsea are looking for a new goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez was at fault for two of Fulham's goals as the Blues won 3-2 at Craven Cottage.
That has left Martinez has a potential option particularly after the arrival of Zion Suzuki from Parma who is set to become the new number one and risks Martinez risks being left in limbo.
Speaking about Martinez after the arrival of Suzuki, boss Unai Emery said: "We can share both. This scenario is a bad scenario? Not. We have two excellent keepers.
“We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.
“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.
“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers.
"Bizot as well, when we needed him, he responded fantastically. My ideal scenario with the goalkeeper is really fantastic, but maybe we can still change something."
The news surrounding Martinez comes 12 months after Manchester United were keen to sign Martinez, but a loan deal was rejected as they pivoted to Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead. Martinez was a crucial figure for Villa last season as he helped secure Champions League football as they finished fourth in the Premier League and also clinched the Europa League.
Martinez has played 256 appearances games for Villa and should he depart, it will be another big character to leave the club this summer.
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all left and Ollie Watkins could follow suit with the striker being the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia.
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