Chelsea have moved to resolve their goalkeeping concerns by securing a deal to bring in Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez for a cut-price £7.5 million ($10.2 million). Martinez, 33, is set to become Xabi Alonso's first-choice keeper just days after Robert Sanchez's error-riddled outing in their Premier League opener away at Fulham.
The Blues edged out a 3-2 victory on Monday on the back of an impressive attacking display, yet Sanchez was at fault for both goals conceded. Alonso has since made a ruthless call, opting to recruit a new goalkeeper with just five days remaining in the summer transfer window.
Multiple reports confirm that Chelsea and Villa have struck a deal worth up to £7.5 million for Martinez. The Argentine is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year contract, which includes the option of an additional 12 months, as per The Mirror.
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Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will head in the opposite direction in a separate transaction worth an initial £47.5 million ($64.6 million) plus £17.5 million ($23.8 million) in potential add-ons. It has been a summer of significant upheaval at Villa Park, with Ollie Watkins also on the brink of a £50 million (around $68 million) switch to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Villa have already offloaded Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Ezri Konsa for a combined £214.5 million ($291.6 million).
Ahead of Martinez's anticipated arrival, Alonso opted to field 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders in Thursday's Carabao Cup second-round home tie against Luton. The Chelsea manager is expected to field questions about Martinez following the match.
Sanchez, 28, has endured persistent criticism following his £25 million ($31.7 million) transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023. Chelsea have recruited numerous goalkeepers since, with the Spaniard moving in and out of the starting lineup under different managers.
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Alonso backed Sanchez following Monday's victory, stating: "It's about the team, it's not about the individual. The first goal, we can do better to defend, we can do better to avoid, but it's part of the game. We need to accept and to learn. This is going to be a process.
"All the lines, from the strikers, the midfielders, the defence, the goalkeepers, we want to do better in everything. The goal was to start good, and we've been able to start well. Relax and carry on."
However, the impending arrival of Martinez suggests that Alonso remains unconvinced that Sanchez is the right choice for his inaugural season at Stamford Bridge. Juventus were connected with the former Arsenal goalkeeper earlier this summer, with Villa securing Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30 million ($33.5 million) in anticipation of his exit.
Despite Juventus ultimately choosing Tottenham Hotspur's Guglielmo Vicario, Villa still acquired Suzuki. The 24-year-old Japan international has not yet made his Villa debut, sitting on the bench during their 4-0 defeat away to Brighton.
Martinez arrives at Chelsea with serious pedigree, joining Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as experienced signings since Alonso took charge in June. The 33-year-old was instrumental in helping Argentina reach a second successive FIFA World Cup final, having shone in the 2022 tournament, and played a pivotal role in Villa's UEFA Europa League triumph last season.
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