Emiliano Martinez to Chelsea? Blues make move for Aston Villa star

Chelsea are weighing up a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the Blues understood to have made contact with the Argentina international’s representatives.

The 33-year-old could be available before the transfer window closes following Villa’s decision to strengthen their own goalkeeping department earlier this month. Unai Emery’s side completed the signing of Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m, potentially opening the door for Martinez to leave Villa Park.

Any deal would continue a busy summer of transfer business between Chelsea and Aston Villa, while questions surrounding Robert Sanchez’s position as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper have added further intrigue to the situation.

Could Emiliano Martinez leave Aston Villa?

Martinez has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most recognisable goalkeepers during his time at Villa, but the arrival of Suzuki has increased uncertainty surrounding his future.

Juventus had already attempted to sign Martinez earlier in the summer transfer window, only for the proposed move to fall through because of concerns surrounding a finger injury.

The Italian club subsequently turned elsewhere, securing Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.

Chelsea could now provide Martinez with another opportunity to move, with the Stamford Bridge club exploring whether a deal can be completed before the September 1 transfer deadline.

A move would bring significant experience to Xavi Alonso’s squad. Martinez has competed at the highest level for both club and country and was a central figure in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

Chelsea and Aston Villa continue summer transfer business

There would already be considerable familiarity between Chelsea and Aston Villa at the negotiating table.

Chelsea completed the signing of Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117m earlier this summer, while Alejandro Garnacho headed in the opposite direction on an initial loan agreement.

Further deals between the two clubs remain possible.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is valued at around £65m, has also been linked with a move to Villa Park. Such a transfer would reunite Jackson with Emery, who previously worked with the forward.

The relationship between the clubs extends beyond the current transfer window.

Villa previously signed defender Ian Maatsen from Chelsea as part of business that also saw Omari Kellyman move to Stamford Bridge. Kellyman has since joined Strasbourg, while the transfers between Villa and Chelsea were widely described at the time as a “PSR swap”.

Martinez potentially moving to Stamford Bridge would therefore become the latest chapter in an increasingly active transfer relationship between the two Premier League sides.

Robert Sanchez under pressure at Chelsea

Chelsea’s interest in Martinez comes with renewed scrutiny surrounding current number one Robert Sanchez.

The Spaniard endured an uncomfortable start to the Premier League season despite Chelsea eventually securing a 3-2 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Sanchez was beaten at his near post by an angled Josh King effort before later spilling another shot into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score.

Chelsea recovered to take all three points, but the goalkeeper’s performance ensured his position remained a topic of discussion ahead of Thursday night’s Carabao Cup meeting with Luton Town at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso initially backed Sanchez following the Fulham victory and insisted his discussions with the goalkeeper had been part of wider conversations surrounding the team’s performance.

“No, (we have had) normal conversations,” Alonso said.

“We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better.

“It was more about understanding the context. Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team-related.”

Those comments suggest Sanchez retains the support of his manager, but Chelsea investigating the possibility of signing Martinez naturally places greater focus on the club’s goalkeeping hierarchy.

Mike Penders another option for Chelsea

Chelsea also have highly-rated Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders competing for opportunities after he returned to the club following a successful loan spell with Strasbourg.

The 21-year-old could be handed an opportunity against Luton as Alonso assesses the options available to him.

Asked whether Penders could feature in the Carabao Cup tie, Alonso said: “He’s in the squad, so he has an opportunity.

“We will decide and give the team to the players tomorrow, so I prefer to expect that they know first.”

Penders represents a younger long-term option, while Martinez would offer an entirely different profile should Chelsea decide they need an immediate upgrade between the posts.

That leaves the club with an important decision as the transfer deadline approaches.

Would Martinez be an upgrade for Chelsea?

A move for Martinez would give Chelsea an established Premier League goalkeeper capable of immediately competing for the number one shirt.

At 33, the Argentine would not represent a long-term project in the same way as Penders, but his experience could appeal to a Chelsea side looking to compete for major honours under Alonso.

His potential availability also makes the situation particularly interesting. Villa’s £30m investment in Suzuki suggests they have already prepared their goalkeeping department for the possibility of change, although a deal for Martinez would still need to work financially for both clubs.

For Chelsea, the question may ultimately come down to how much confidence they retain in Sanchez.

The Blues have already invested heavily in strengthening Alonso’s squad this summer, including the £117m acquisition of Rogers, and Martinez could provide another significant addition if Chelsea decide the goalkeeping position requires further attention.

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Whether Martinez remains at Villa Park or becomes one of Chelsea’s final major additions of the summer transfer window, both clubs look set to provide plenty of talking points throughout the 2026/27 campaign.