Chelsea sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m to displace Robert Sanchez

Chelsea have signed Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for £7.5 million, with the 33-year-old penning a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge. The move ends a prolonged saga that saw Martinez attempt to leave Villa on at least two previous occasions.

Martinez, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and claimed back-to-back Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024 as the world’s best goalkeeper, is set to displace current Chelsea number one Robert Sanchez, whose performances have drawn criticism in recent months.

“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martinez said in a statement on Chelsea’s official website. “Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I’m just over the moon — I can’t wait to get started. I want to be successful here. I’m someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it’s a football club that wins titles, so I think it’s a good match.”

The Argentine had attempted to engineer a departure from Villa Park last summer, but no deal materialised. A move to Juventus also collapsed earlier this month before Chelsea stepped in to secure his signature.

Martinez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and played a central role in the club’s rise through the Premier League, including their UEFA Europa League triumph in May 2025. He also won two Copa América titles with Argentina during his time at the club.

In a farewell statement, Villa said Martinez “will always be remembered for his part in our recent journey and success” and wished him well.

His departure continues a significant exodus from Villa Park this summer. Martinez follows Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne out of the club, with striker Ollie Watkins also reported to be on the verge of leaving.