Chelsea have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in a deal worth £7.5 million, ending the 33-year-old's time at Villa Park.

Sky Sports News had reported that Chelsea were weighing a late move for the 2022 World Cup winner after first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez drew criticism for an error in the club's Premier League win at Fulham earlier this week.

Martinez pushed out at Villa Park

Martinez's route to the exit door at Aston Villa was opened when the club paid nearly £30 million to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma. The arrival of Suzuki left Martinez without a clear path to first-team football at the club.

The Argentine had also attracted interest from Juventus, but the Italian side opted instead to acquire Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur.

Questions over Chelsea's goalkeeping options

The signing raises immediate questions about the futures of both Sanchez and young goalkeeper Mike Penders at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are not competing in European football this season, which makes carrying three senior goalkeepers a debatable proposition.

Penders, who recently returned from a loan spell at Strasbourg, was handed his start in Chelsea's Carabao Cup match against Luton on Thursday, while Sanchez had taken the gloves for the Fulham fixture on Monday.

Sanchez had been expected to lead the goalkeeping department again this term, but his performances have drawn scrutiny. The club had previously dismissed suggestions they were actively seeking an experienced goalkeeper, though this deal contradicts that position.

Chelsea came close to landing AC Milan's Mike Maignan last summer but were unable to agree a transfer fee with the Italian club.