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 talking 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.