“World-class” £150,000-a-week star says “yes” to joining Chelsea

Chelsea have been holding internal talks regarding a move for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, with the goalkeeper now keen to complete a deadline-busting move to Stamford Bridge.

Missing out on European football was far from ideal for the Blues, but the reduced fixture list could give them a better shot of challenging Arsenal for the Premier League title, and they got off to a flying start by defeating Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage in their opening game.

However, Gary Neville has suggested Xabi Alonso will need to bring in a replacement for Robert Sanchez if his side are going to be contenders, saying: “You cannot take a chance with goalkeeper. I said before, it’s the most difficult position on the pitch. It’s the one that carries the most scrutiny.

“It’s the one that if you have got a goalkeeper that’s making mistakes and he’s anxious, it will undermine everything that you’re trying to do. And I think in the next seven or eight days, Alonso may have to just make a decision that he needs to bring in an experienced goalkeeper, because his job is to be successful for Chelsea.”

Sanchez was inexplicably beaten at his near post by Josh King in the 3-2 victory against Fulham on Monday night, and the Spaniard didn’t rank among the best goalkeepers in terms of clean sheets in the Premier League last season, with his side stumbling to a tenth-place finish.

Martinez, on the other hand, became the first-ever two-time winner of the Yashin Trophy in 2024, while the 33-year-old has also been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or during his time with the Villans, where he has made 256 appearances, keeping 80 clean sheets.

As such, the Argentina star could be a real upgrade on Sanchez, and it was recently revealed Alonso’s side have been planning a late approach.

Chelsea hold internal discussions to sign Emiliano Martinez

REUTERS/Omar Aziz

According to Fabrizio Romano, Martinez has now “said yes” to a move to Stamford Bridge, with the Villa goalkeeper hoping to join Chelsea before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The Blues have been holding internal talks regarding a move for the £150,000-a-week goalkeeper, and despite reports, there isn’t currently any competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur, as Roberto De Zerbi remains content with Antonin Kinsky and Martin Dubravka.

That is despite the Argentinian shot-stopper being regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, with The Guardian’s Dan Bardell describing him as “world-class” last April.