estChelsea are exploring a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after the 2022 World Cup winner’s representatives offered him to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
The Argentine is understood to be keen on the move, prioritising a switch to West London despite Chelsea’s lack of European football this season.
Martinez’s availability has emerged as a result of developments in the Midlands, where Aston Villa have decided that summer signing Zion Suzuki will be their new first-choice goalkeeper.
Aston Villa are reportedly willing to accept offers under £10 million for Martinez, though the exact fee is not confirmed.
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Aston Villa are prepared to sell Martinez following their £30 million move for Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who is expected to become the club’s long-term No.1.
This succession has left Martinez facing an uncertain future, turning an established dressing room figure into a player the club are willing to cash in on.
Timing is everything in the transfer market, with Martinez’s proposed move to Juventus collapsing earlier this month despite Villa having already secured Suzuki as his replacement.
With the Argentine still at the club after the failed move to Turin, Villa have little reason to keep two senior goalkeepers competing for the starting spot.
This change in Villa’s goalkeeping plans explains why a shot-stopper of Martinez’s profile is available on the market for a modest fee.
Emiliano Martinez frozen out after Aston Villa goalkeeper change
Martinez’s situation at Aston Villa has moved beyond a simple transfer preference, with his role within the first-team squad changing significantly.
The Argentine has recently been training separately from the main first-team group, a notable change for a goalkeeper who has been a key figure for Villa in recent seasons.
He was also left out of the squad for Aston Villa’s season opener against Brighton, with Marco Bizot replacing him between the posts.
This was a clear selection decision rather than routine rotation, especially with Suzuki already established as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Villa’s treatment of Martinez suggests that this is no longer a case of a player simply looking for a new challenge.
The club has clearly moved on, and that change in the pecking order gives Chelsea’s interest far more substance.
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Chelsea’s goalkeeping dilemma sparks late Emiliano Martinez pursuit
Chelsea’s interest in Martinez has emerged from a familiar problem at Stamford Bridge, with Robert Sanchez already under scrutiny after the opening season fixture.
Pressure increased after Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Fulham, with two errors from Sanchez raising fresh questions over the Blues’ goalkeeping position.
Those mistakes have prompted Chelsea to consider alternatives in goal as they look for a more reliable presence behind the defence.
Chelsea’s summer recruitment has visibly shifted towards established Premier League players capable of providing leadership and stability to Xabi Alonso’s squad.
Chelsea’s hierarchy is determined to back the manager with players who can make an immediate impact rather than relying solely on raw potential.
Sanchez’s struggles between the posts have pushed Chelsea to consider their options, while Martinez’s availability in the Midlands has opened the door to a potential deal.
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Chelsea and Aston Villa’s recent transfer history
Chelsea and Aston Villa have done enough business with each other to make the transfer phone line between Stamford Bridge and Villa Park rather busy.
The West London club paid £117 million for Morgan Rogers this summer, making him Aston Villa’s record sale and Chelsea’s record signing. Alejandro Garnacho then headed in the opposite direction on loan.
The clubs are also in negotiations over Nicolas Jackson, with Villa looking to find a replacement for Ollie Watkins, who has left for Al-Hilal.
This is not their first exchange of players either, with Ian Maatsen moving from Chelsea to Villa in 2024 and Omari Kellyman heading the other way.
None of this guarantees that Martinez will be swapping Villa’s claret for Chelsea’s blue.
It does, however, mean that the respective recruitment teams already know how the other takes their coffee.
If Chelsea decide to pursue Martinez, those existing deals could make the discussions more straightforward.
