Aston Villa have agreed to sell Emiliano Martinez to Chelsea for £7.5million, bringing the goalkeeper’s six-year spell at Villa Park close to an end. The Argentina international gave the green light to the move on Wednesday before the two clubs reached a verbal agreement over a permanent transfer.
Fabrizio Romano has now given the deal his trademark “here we go” confirmation after Chelsea accelerated negotiations with Villa on Thursday.
The agreement represents a remarkably swift conclusion after Martinez was initially offered to Chelsea by his representatives.
Aston Villa agree £7.5m Emi Martinez sale
Chelsea had been considering whether to proceed with Martinez after opening talks with his camp and Villa.
The 33-year-old made his preference clear, with Romano previously reporting that Martinez had accepted the Chelsea project and wanted the move.
Villa have now accepted £7.5m for a permanent transfer.
Although the fee is modest for a goalkeeper of Martinez’s pedigree, his situation at Villa Park had become increasingly clear.
Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma this summer with the intention of making the Japan international their new No.1.
Martinez has also been training away from the first-team group while his representatives worked on finding him another club after a proposed Juventus transfer collapsed earlier in August.
Chelsea have now provided that exit route.
Martinez set to leave after six years at Villa
Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in September 2020 and went on to make 256 appearances for the club.
He became one of the defining figures of Villa’s rise under Unai Emery, helping them qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League.
The Argentina international also established himself among world football’s leading goalkeepers during his time at Villa Park.
His departure adds another major name to a remarkable summer of change.
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne and Ollie Watkins have all departed or agreed moves, while Villa have completely rebuilt the spine of Emery’s squad.
Suzuki can now move forward without uncertainty surrounding the No.1 position.
For Martinez, Chelsea represents the new challenge he has been seeking.
For Villa, another major chapter of Emery’s first successful side is about to close.
