Chelsea have pulled off an unexpected transfer coup by signing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for a fee of £7.5million. The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, ending years of speculation about his future away from Villa Park.
Martinez's arrival at Stamford Bridge comes at a time when Chelsea's current number one, Robert Sanchez, has faced growing scrutiny over his performances, including a costly error in a recent defeat at Fulham. The signing of Martinez, one of the most decorated goalkeepers of his generation, appears set to shake up the pecking order between the posts, with the Argentine expected to challenge Sanchez for the starting role.
Martinez's move had been on the cards for some time. He attempted to leave Villa last summer, though no deal materialised, and a switch to Juventus fell through earlier this month. Persistence eventually paid off, and the World Cup winner has now secured the transfer he had long been pursuing.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Martinez expressed his excitement at joining a club with a winning pedigree.