Chelsea are considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, talkSPORT understands.
The Argentina goalkeeper, 33, is available for as little as £8.6million.
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He has been offered to Chelsea by intermediaries following the arrival of Zion Suzuki as the new No.1 at Villa Park.
The Blues had insisted earlier in the summer they were content with their current keepers, but Martinez has presented a late-window opportunity.
It comes just two days after the 3-2 victory at Fulham, which saw Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez widely criticised for both goals conceded.
Which other clubs have been linked with a move for Emi Martinez?
Martinez was the subject of heavy interest from Juventus earlier this summer, but a deal collapsed and the Italian club opted for Guglielmo Vicario instead.
Villa had quoted Juventus €10million (£8.6m) for the Argentinian gloveman.
Martinez’s mooted exit comes after Villa boss Unai Emery confirmed the 33-year-old had expressed his desire to leave the club this summer.
What has Unai Emery said about Emi Martinez’s future?
“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic,” Emery said.
“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him.”
Martinez agitated for a move to Manchester United last summer but it never eventuated, as the Red Devils opted to sign Senne Lammens instead.
Despite missing out on a move to Old Trafford, Martinez knuckled down and helped Villa enjoy a historic season.
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Emery’s side finished fourth in the Premier League last term, ensuring a return to the Champions League.
Villa also ended their 30-year wait for a trophy by defeating Freiburg 3-0 to win the Europa League.
Emi Martinez’s Aston Villa career at a glance
The Europa League final was Martinez’s 256th competitive appearance for Villa in all competitions, having joined from Arsenal in 2020.
Martinez’s move to Birmingham proved transformative for his career, having gone on to win the World Cup with Argentina as their first choice goalkeeper.
He has also won the Yashin Trophy twice, an award given out during the Ballon d’Or ceremony to the best performing goalkeeper in the world.
Martinez was the first goalkeeper to have claimed the award multiple times.
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