Chelsea weigh Emiliano Martinez move as Aston Villa agree Jackson deal

Chelsea are considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez after being offered the Argentina international, according to reporting by The Guardian. Chelsea are in contact with the 33-year-old’s representatives, but the report does not say that the club have submitted an offer to Villa or agreed terms for a transfer.

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Martínez has informed Aston Villa that he wants to leave, The Guardian reported. A proposed switch to Juventus fell through last week after Villa recruited goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30 million. Martínez was then left out of the squad for Villa’s opening-weekend defeat at Brighton, where Marco Bizot started and Suzuki was named among the substitutes.

Chelsea have largely used Robert Sánchez as their first-choice goalkeeper, while 21-year-old Mike Penders is being prepared as a longer-term option. Sánchez started Chelsea’s win over Fulham on Monday. The possibility of adding Martínez, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022 who also reached the 2026 final, is now under consideration rather than completed.

The goalkeeper has further major honors from his club career. He won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020 and lifted the Europa League with Aston Villa last season. The Guardian reported that his availability could provide a solution for both Villa, who have already added Suzuki, and Chelsea as they assess their options before the transfer deadline.

The two clubs have separately agreed a £65 million deal that would take striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea to Aston Villa, according to the same report. The Senegal international had also attracted interest from Atlético Madrid but is now poised to join Villa. No completion of the transfer was reported, so the move remains subject to the remaining steps.

Villa view Jackson as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is expected to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. The club are also seeking a centre-back and could target West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo. Chelsea, meanwhile, may face more movement before Tuesday night’s deadline, with Manchester City expected to bid for midfielder Enzo Fernández.