Chelsea have agreed a £7.5 million fee with Aston Villa for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentina international set to undergo a medical in London as he prepares to join the club ahead of the transfer deadline.

The 33-year-old's arrival is expected to bolster the goalkeeping options at Stamford Bridge, where first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has come under scrutiny following a difficult outing in Monday's 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham.

Sanchez under pressure

Sanchez, who has held the number-one spot at Chelsea since 2023, endured a trying evening against Fulham. He allowed Josh King's effort to pass through his hands at the near post, then spilled a second-half shot into a dangerous area, gifting Gonzalo Garcia a goal.

The decision to pursue Martinez marks a significant shift in thinking at Stamford Bridge. The club's hierarchy had previously stood firmly behind Sanchez, but with the transfer window closing imminently, they have moved swiftly to bring in an experienced alternative.

Chelsea's goalkeeping ranks also include Mike Penders, the £17 million signing from Genk, who is in line to make his debut in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town on Thursday.

A busy corridor between Chelsea and Villa

Martinez had attracted interest from Juventus earlier in the window, but that deal fell apart over concerns regarding a finger injury. Juventus instead secured Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.

Aston Villa were willing to part with Martinez after completing the £30 million signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier this month.

The deal is the latest in a string of transfers between the two clubs. Chelsea signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117 million, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan last month. Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65 million, was completing a medical at Villa Park on Thursday ahead of a reunion with his former Villarreal manager, Unai Emery.

The relationship between Chelsea and Aston Villa stretches back further still — the clubs were also party to a deal widely described as a 'PSR swap', which saw defender Ian Maatsen join Villa and Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, move to Stamford Bridge.