Chelsea have agreed to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for £7.5 million ($10.2 million), according to an ESPN report by James Olley published on August 27, 2026. The 33-year-old Argentina international is set for a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge, ending a six-year spell at Villa Park.
Chelsea Villa: Deal Terms and Timeline
ESPN reports the move would install Martínez as Chelsea’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Representatives offered the keeper to Chelsea earlier in the week, and negotiations accelerated quickly.
The £7.5 million figure converts to roughly $10.2 million at current rates. A separate ESPN report on August 26, 2026 said Chelsea were considering replacing Robert Sánchez after criticism following a 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the Premier League’s opening weekend. Two days later, Martínez is poised to walk through the door Sánchez could soon exit.
Why Sánchez Is on Thin Ice
The Brighton loss exposed structural problems. Chelsea Villa shipped four goals, and Sánchez’s post-match comments drew the kind of public scrutiny that usually precedes a benching. Chelsea identified Martínez as a Premier League-proven replacement.
Martínez brings set-piece command, penalty-area authority, and a winning temperament that Chelsea’s current options lack. At 33, the goalkeeper offers short-term reliability rather than a multi-year rebuild project. For a club chasing immediate silverware, that profile fits the bill.
The Juventus Chapter That Wasn’t
A move to Juventus fell through earlier in August, according to ESPN. The collapse left Martínez available when Chelsea came calling, and his representatives seized the opening. Villa, meanwhile, lose a long-serving starter and must now source a replacement before the September 1 deadline.
The speed of the turnaround suggests Chelsea Villa’s recruitment team identified the goalkeeper position as a priority after the Brighton humbling and moved before competitors circled. The two-year contract length also signals a short-term fix rather than a long-term succession plan.
What Happens Next for Chelsea and Villa
Chelsea must finalise personal terms, complete a medical, and register Martínez before the window closes. The club’s sporting directors will also decide whether to retain Sánchez as backup or find a buyer for the Spaniard. Villa, already light in goal, face their own scramble to fill the void.
Martínez’s arrival would mark the most experienced keeper to join Chelsea since the Petr Cech era, and Stamford Bridge expects results from matchday two onward.
How much are Chelsea paying for Martínez?
Chelsea agreed a £7.5 million ($10.2 million) fee with Aston Villa, per ESPN’s James Olley. For more detail, see BBC Sport.
What contract length did Chelsea offer Martínez?
The Argentina goalkeeper would sign a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge, according to the same report.
Why are Chelsea replacing Robert Sánchez?
ESPN reported on August 26, 2026 that Chelsea were weighing options after Sánchez faced criticism following the 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Was Martínez close to joining another club?
Yes. A separate ESPN report said a deal to send Martínez to Juventus collapsed earlier in August, leaving the door open for Chelsea.
How long was Martínez at Aston Villa?
The move would end a six-year stay at Villa Park, where he became one of the Premier League’s most recognisable keepers. Looking ahead, all eyes shift to Stamford Bridge’s medical suite and the final registration paperwork before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Related Articles
Was this article helpful?
Your feedback directly improves future articles on this site.
