Emi Martinez set for Chelsea switch as £7.5m deal for Aston Villa goalkeeper upgrade agreed | OneFootball

Blues add huge competition for Robert Sanchez after error-strewn performance at Fulham

The goalkeeper is expected to become Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper after completing the move. Personal terms are agreed.

He had wanted to leave Villa, who have signed Zion Suzuki to become their new first-choice goalkeeper, for some time.

Emi Martinez impressed for Argentina at the World Cup

PA

Chelsea’s stance all summer has been that they are content with the goalkeepers they have in Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders, who started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town on Thursday night.

But Sanchez made two high-profile errors in Monday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham and Chelsea have now reconsidered their position of keeping Sanchez as No1.

They are now signing the experienced Martinez for a £7.5m fee following Sanchez’s errors.

Martinez was due to join Juventus before the Italian club signed Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham instead. Before Martinez's move to Juventus collapsed, Villa had quoted the Italian club an asking price as £8.5m for the 33-year-old.

Robert Sanchez has struggled for consistent form since joining Chelsea

AFP/Getty

Chelsea are also signing the 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor from Atalanta.

The Italy international has permission to travel to London to undergo a Chelsea medical after agreeing personal terms with the west London club. A total package worth £40m has been agreed between Atalanta and Chelsea.

Chelsea have sold Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest for £45m plus £5m in add-ons. They are also set to sell Nicolas Jackson to Aston Villa for a fee that includes significant add-ons but could pocket the Blues £65m if all are met.

The Senegal centre-back Mamadou Sarr was on Thursday morning undergoing a medical with Real Sociedad as he prepares to leave Chelsea on a season-long loan deal with no option or obligation to make the deal permanent.