CHELSEA AGREE £7.5M FEE FOR ASTON VILLA GOALKEEPER MARTINEZ

Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, the Argentina international. Martinez is set to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea seek to strengthen their goalkeeping options. The move follows concerns over the performances of Robert Sanchez, Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper since 2023, who made errors during Monday's 3-2 win over Fulham when he allowed Josh King's shot to slip through at the near post and later spilled an effort that led to Gonzalo Garcia scoring.

Aston Villa have been willing to sell Martinez following their signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for approximately £30m earlier in August. Chelsea also have Mike Penders, a £17m signing from Genk, as an alternative option and he is expected to make his debut in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town. Juventus had attempted to sign Martinez earlier in the transfer window but the deal collapsed over concerns regarding a finger injury; Juventus subsequently signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan instead.

The transfer is the latest in a series of deals between the two clubs. Chelsea signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a reported club-record £117m, whilst striker Nicolas Jackson was completing a medical at Villa Park to reunite with former Villarreal manager Unai Emery. Defender Ian Maatsen joined Villa whilst Omari Kellyman moved to Chelsea in a separate arrangement, and midfielder Alejandro Garnacho moved to Villa on an initial loan deal last month.