Chelsea have opened talks over a possible move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the club making contact with representatives of the Argentina international. The 33-year-old has become available for transfer after Villa completed the signing of Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m earlier this month, leaving Martinez surplus to requirements at Villa Park.
The two clubs have a well-established working relationship in the transfer market and could combine again this window. Chelsea's marquee signing of forward Morgan Rogers from Villa, worth a club-record £117m, was accompanied by winger Alejandro Garnacho heading to Villa Park on an initial loan. There is also talk that striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at approximately £65m, could move to Villa and link up once more with Unai Emery, the manager who previously worked with him.
Chelsea and Villa have a history of creative business, including an arrangement often referred to as a "PSR swap," in which defender Ian Maatsen joined Villa while Omari Kellyman moved to Chelsea. Kellyman has since departed for Strasbourg.
Martinez had appeared close to leaving for Juventus earlier in the transfer window, but that deal fell through amid concerns about a finger injury. Juventus instead turned to Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario, signing the Italy international on loan.
Chelsea's interest in Martinez comes at a time of scrutiny over current number one Robert Sanchez. The Spanish goalkeeper struggled in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham, being beaten at his near post by Josh King's angled strike before spilling another effort that led to a goal for Gonzalo Garcia. Despite the errors, Chelsea recovered to win 3-2 at Craven Cottage.
Manager Xabi Alonso initially stood by Sanchez following the match and was pressed again on the goalkeeper's situation ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. "No, (we have had) normal conversations," Alonso said. "We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better. It was more about understanding the context. Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team-related."
With uncertainty surrounding Sanchez's form, attention has also turned to Chelsea's other goalkeeping options. Mike Penders, who returned to the club after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg, is in contention for a role and was named among those who could feature against Luton. Asked specifically about Penders potentially starting the cup tie, Alonso said: "He's in the squad, so he has an opportunity. We will decide and give the team to the players tomorrow, so I prefer to expect that they know first."
Should Chelsea proceed with a formal approach for Martinez, it would represent a significant move in the goalkeeping market and add further intrigue to the club's ongoing rebuilding process under Alonso. The Spanish coach has been keen to stress that Chelsea's challenges are collective rather than centered on one individual, even as questions continue to surround his current first-choice goalkeeper.
For now, Villa's decision to bring in Suzuki appears to have set the stage for Martinez's Villa Park exit, while Chelsea weigh up whether the experienced Argentine international could provide the reliability they are seeking between the posts.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.