Chelsea agree £7.5m deal for Villa’s Martínez – Reports

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for a reported £7.5 million fee.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on Thursday, the clubs have agreed terms for the permanent transfer, while Martínez has already given the green light to the move.

“Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign Emiliano Martínez, here we go! Club-to-club agreement with Aston Villa on fee worth £7.5m for permanent move. Dibu gave the green light to yesterday and clubs agreed on terms today,” Romano posted on X.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper became available after Aston Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma as their new long-term No 1.

Chelsea’s move for Martínez comes after concerns over Robert Sánchez’s performance in the club’s Premier League victory over Fulham.

The Spanish goalkeeper made errors that contributed to Fulham’s goals in the match.

Martínez has been training separately from the Villa first team and was left out of the squad for their opening Premier League fixture against Brighton.

The Argentina international joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and has established himself as one of the club’s key players. He was instrumental in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and helped Villa win the Europa League last season.

The proposed transfer is subject to the completion of Martínez’s medical and other formalities.

Chelsea are expected to complete the deal before the Premier League transfer window closes on September 1.