Emi Martinez has emerged as a target for Chelsea as Villa push to close out the signing of Nicolas Jackson.
The World Cup winner is seeking a new club after Villa brought in Zion Suzuki to replace him as No.1 and the Premier League club have emerged as potential suitors.
Martinez’s representatives, who have been attempting to engineer his exit from Villa for the past two summers, have been in touch with Chelsea over a potential deal.
Talks between the clubs have accelerated since the Blues’ current No.1, Robert Sanchez, endured a tough night during their 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday.
Discussions over Martinez are taking place in parallel to negotiations over Jackson, who is now Villa’s primary striker target.
There is increasing optimism, on both sides, a deal in the region of £65million can be agreed before next week’s transfer deadline.
That would then open the door for Ollie Watkins to join Al-Hilal. Though Villa, at least in public, continue to express their desire to keep the striker, there is now an acknowledgement a separation might be the best outcome for all parties.
One deal which won’t happen is the arrival of defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge.
Villa had been advancing in talks to sign the 22-year-old Ecuador international but those have now stalled, with the player instead expected to join Crystal Palace.
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains a player of interest to Villa, albeit the clubs have so far been some way apart on valuation. West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo is a potential alternative.
Aston Villa in talks with Chelsea over two huge deals
Aston Villa in talks with Chelsea over two huge deals