Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is set to undergo his medical at Chelsea ahead of a £7.5million move from Aston Villa.
The Blues are desperate to land a new goalkeeper before Tuesday’s deadline and they are closing in on Martinez.
He is now set for a medical before sealing the switch with a two-year contract and option of an additional 12 months.
Martinez – who played at this summer’s World Cup with a broken finger – was part of the Villa side that won the Europa League last term.
He lifted the World Cup for his country four years ago and has twice been named the best goalkeeper on the planet.
After eight years on the books at Arsenal and six loan spells, he got his big break during the Covid season in 2020.
That prompted a transfer to Aston Villa, making 256 appearances for the club.
And his key saves at crucial moments for Villa and Argentina, none more so than in the last seconds of the 2022 World Cup final, earned him a reputation as the world’s No1 shot-stopper.
But it was clear he wanted out of Villa Park this season, despite securing Champions League football again, with Unai Emery snapping up Zion Suzuki for £30m.
Now 67-cap Martinez, 33, will link up with Argentina pals Enzo Fernandez and Valentin Barco at Stamford Bridge – although the former may be off to Manchester City before the window closes.
Chelsea started the season with Robert Sanchez as Xabi Alonso’s No1 and Mike Penders his back-up.
However, if the new Blues boss is serious about mounting a Premier League title charge, it became even more apparent Sanchez could not be the first-choice goalkeeper.
He made two poor blunders in Monday’s 3-2 win at rivals Fulham which almost cost Chelsea – following a string of mistakes in previous seasons since his £25m arrival from Brighton in 2023.
Penders started Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash with Luton as Sanchez dropped to the bench.
