Chelsea sign Emi Martinez for £7.5m as Alonso axes Sanchez after Fulham errors

Chelsea have agreed a deal worth up to £7.5 million to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, with the Argentine set to become Xabi Alonso’s first-choice stopper ahead of Monday’s 11pm transfer deadline. The move comes just days after Robert Sanchez was directly at fault for both goals Chelsea conceded in their 3-2 Premier League opening-day win at Fulham.

Sanchez, 28, was culpable for both Fulham strikes despite Chelsea running out winners thanks to an impressive attacking display. Alonso had publicly defended his goalkeeper in the aftermath, insisting the result was a collective effort, but the rapid pursuit of Martinez tells a different story. The Spaniard has faced persistent criticism since his £25 million arrival from Brighton in 2023 and has cycled in and out of the starting XI under a succession of managers at Stamford Bridge.

Martinez, 33, is set to sign a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. The fee represents a significant discount on his market value and reflects Villa’s willingness to move the World Cup winner on this summer. The club had already signed Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30 million in anticipation of his departure, though Juventus — who had been strongly linked with Martinez — ultimately opted for Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario instead.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will move in the opposite direction in a separate transaction worth an initial £47.5 million, rising to £65 million with add-ons. The deal forms part of a sweeping summer of business at Villa Park: Ollie Watkins is also on the verge of a £50 million move to Al-Hilal, while Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa have already been sold for a combined £214.5 million.

With Martinez’s signing not yet formalised, Alonso opted to start 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup second-round tie against Luton at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Alonso is expected to face questions about the Martinez deal after that match.

Alonso’s post-Fulham comments now read as carefully managed diplomacy rather than genuine confidence in Sanchez. “It’s about the team, it’s not about the individual,” the Chelsea head coach said. “All the lines — from the strikers, the midfielders, the defence, the goalkeepers — we want to do better in everything. The goal was to start good, and we’ve been able to start well. Relax and carry on.” The imminent arrival of a World Cup-winning goalkeeper suggests the relaxation was short-lived.