Chelsea open talks to sign former Arsenal star ahead of transfer deadline

Arsenal and Chelsea club crests (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have opened talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the final days of the transfer window, according to reports.

Martinez is said to be keen on the move, with his long-term future at Villa increasingly uncertain after recent developments.

The Argentine shotstopper had been in talks with Juventus, but that deal broke down, with the Italian side instead signing Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.

Villa have since signed Zion Suzuki from Parma who is expected to be Unai Emery’s first-choice this season.

Martinez was not in Villa’s squad for their league opener against Brighton on Sunday, and according to The Athletic is now in talks over a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea started the season with Robert Sanchez in goal against Fulham, but the Spaniard was at fault for both goals his side conceded in the 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage.

The Blues were linked with a move for Martinez earlier in the window, but were said to be happy with Sanchez and young Mike Penders as their keepers heading into the new season.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (Picture: AP)

But Xabi Alonso’s side now appear to have had a change of heart, with talks with Martinez’s representatives now taking place ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.

Martinez began his Premier League career at Arsenal before moving to Villa in 2020 in search of more regular minutes.

The 33-year-old has gone on to make 256 appearances for Villa and was awarded the Golden Glove in 2022 after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar.

Robert Sanchez struggled in Chelsea’s opener against Fulham on Monday (Picture: AFP)

Martinez’s potential departure would make him the latest experienced Villa player to leave Emery’s squad after Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne all moved on over the summer.

For Chelsea, however, it would mark the signing of yet another experienced Premier League stalwart after the arrival of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck earlier this summer.

Chelsea are due to face Luton Town on Thursday in the Carabao Cup second round.

Asked on Monday about Sanchez’s errors, Alonso sought to defend the Spaniard, inisting: ‘It’s about the team, it’s not about the individual. As I said before, we can adjust a few things.