Chelsea complete Emiliano Martinez transfer from Aston Villa

ChelseaChelseaEngland are reported to have completed the signing of Aston VillaAston VillaEngland goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on 30 August. The 33-year-old Argentina international, who has been pressing to leave Villa for the last two summers, is understood to be moving for £7.5m on a three-year contract. That move brings to an end a transfer saga that has run across two summers, with Martínez finally getting the exit he has been seeking and Chelsea securing a proven top-level goalkeeper.

Martínez arrives with a distinguished pedigree. He was Argentina's goalkeeper when they won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, producing a string of decisive saves in the knockout rounds, and has twice received the Yashin Trophy for the world's best goalkeeper. His arrival at Stamford Bridge is expected to end Robert Sánchez's tenure as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, a change that will have a significant impact on the team's defensive setup.

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What the transfer means

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The move resolves an exit that Martínez has wanted for some time. He has been agitating to leave Villa for the past two summers and now has his wish, with Chelsea paying a reported £7.5m. The three-year contract gives Chelsea a proven, experienced No 1 without a long-term commitment, though at 33 Martínez is unlikely to be a long-term fixture.

The transfer also deepens a notable relationship between Chelsea and Aston Villa. Reports suggest this is the eighth deal between the two clubs in four years, with moves in both directions since 2022. It has made them one of the Premier LeaguePremier LeagueEngland5 CLUBS95 MATCHES's busiest transfer partnerships, and the latest deal continues that pattern.

• Fee: £7.5m (reported)
• Contract: Three years (reported)
• Martínez set to replace Robert Sánchez as No 1
• Reported to be the eighth Chelsea-Villa deal in four years

For Chelsea, the signing is a statement of intent. Martínez's experience in high-pressure matches, including a World Cup final, should bring stability to the goalkeeping position. For Aston Villa, the sale brings in a fee for a player who had made clear his desire to leave, allowing the club to reinvest ahead of the new season. The move also represents a decisive late-window capture for Chelsea as they look to address their goalkeeping situation.

What is not yet known

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Neither club has issued formal confirmation of the transfer, and no date has been announced for Martínez's presentation at Stamford Bridge. The precise fee and contract length have not been officially disclosed, though reports have put the deal at £7.5m over three years. No decision has been announced on Robert Sánchez's future at Chelsea, and it remains to be seen whether he will stay as understudy or seek a move.