Chelsea Consider Signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa

Chelsea are weighing up a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after opening talks with the Argentina international’s camp.

The 33-year-old World Cup winner is viewed as attainable this window, with Villa prepared to listen to offers after bringing in Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m earlier this month. Suzuki’s arrival has shifted the dynamic at Villa Park and opened the door for Martinez to explore a new challenge.

If Chelsea push ahead, it would be the latest chapter in an increasingly busy trading route between the two clubs. The London side smashed their transfer record to sign forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho headed the other way on an initial loan.

There could be more movement. Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at about £65m, is being linked with a switch to Villa, where he would be reunited with former Villarreal boss Unai Emery. The lines between the two recruitment departments are well worn now.

The relationship has already produced one of the most talked-about deals of the summer, a move widely branded a “PSR swap”. Ian Maatsen joined Villa, while Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, went to Stamford Bridge as both clubs navigated the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Martinez, though, has had other admirers. Juventus tried to prise him away from Villa earlier in the window, only for the move to fall apart over concerns about a finger injury. The Italian side quickly pivoted and took Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan instead.

Chelsea’s interest comes with scrutiny growing on current number one Robert Sanchez. The Spaniard was beaten at his near post by Josh King’s angled strike in the opening Premier League game against Fulham, a moment that drew instant criticism.

The nerves didn’t end there. Sanchez later spilled another effort into a dangerous area, gifting Gonzalo Garcia the chance to score. Chelsea escaped with a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage, but the questions around their goalkeeper did not.

Manager Xavi Alonso publicly backed Sanchez after that match and again faced queries about him before Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge.

“No, (we have had) normal conversations,” Alonso said when asked if there had been specific talks with Sanchez. “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.”

Behind Sanchez, pressure is building from within as well. Number two goalkeeper Mike Penders, back from a strong loan spell at Strasbourg, is pushing for minutes and could start against Luton.

“He’s in the squad, so he has an opportunity,” Alonso said. “We will decide and give the team to the players tomorrow, so I prefer to expect that they know first.”

Chelsea now stand at a crossroads in goal: persist with Sanchez, hand the gloves to Penders, or move decisively for Martinez and reshape the position for years to come.