Chelsea have agreed a £7.5million deal to sign Emi Martinez from Aston Villa. The goalkeeper is expected to become Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper after completing the move, with personal terms already agreed.
Standard Sport understands Chelsea were offered Martinez by intermediaries, and Martinez communicated to the club that he was keen on joining. He had wanted to leave Villa, who have signed Zion Suzuki to become their new first-choice goalkeeper, for some time.
Sanchez errors prompt rethink
Chelsea's stance all summer has been that they are content with the goalkeepers they have in Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders, who started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town on Thursday night. However, Sanchez made two high-profile errors in Monday's 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham, and Chelsea have now reconsidered their position of keeping Sanchez as No1.
They are now signing the experienced Martinez for a £7.5m fee following Sanchez's errors.
Martinez's Juventus move collapsed
Martinez was due to join Juventus before the Italian club signed Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham instead. Before Martinez's move to Juventus collapsed, Villa had quoted the Italian club an asking price of £8.5m for the 33-year-old.
Martinez impressed for Argentina at the World Cup.
Other Chelsea transfer activity
Chelsea are also signing the 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor from Atalanta. The Italy international has permission to travel to London to undergo a Chelsea medical after agreeing personal terms with the west London club. A total package worth £40m has been agreed between Atalanta and Chelsea.
Chelsea have sold Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest for £45m plus £5m in add-ons. They are also set to sell Nicolas Jackson to Aston Villa for a fee that includes significant add-ons but could pocket the Blues £65m if all are met.
The Senegal centre-back Mamadou Sarr was on Thursday morning undergoing a medical with Real Sociedad as he prepares to leave Chelsea on a season-long loan deal with no option or obligation to make the deal permanent.
