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Chelsea<\/b><\/a> have agreed a \u00a37.5m fee to sign <\/b>Aston Villa<\/b><\/a> goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.<\/b><\/p>\n The Argentina international, 33, is set to undergo a medical in London and strengthen the goalkeeping group at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n It follows concerns over the performances of Robert Sanchez, particularly in the wake of Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sanchez, who has been Chelsea<\/a>‘s first-choice goalkeeper since 2023, allowed Josh King’s shot to slip through his grasp at the near post. He then spilled another effort into a dangerous area in the second half, allowing striker Gonzalo Garcia to score.<\/p>\n The move represents a remarkable turnaround in opinion at Stamford Bridge. Those in charge had been keen to back Sanchez but have opted to move for Martinez days before the transfer deadline.<\/p>\n Chelsea<\/a> also have Mike Penders, a \u00a317m signing from Genk, among their options. He is line to make his debut in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town on Thursday night.<\/p>\n Villa have been willing to sell Martinez since signing Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for about \u00a330m earlier this month.<\/p>\n It is also the latest in a series of deals between Chelsea<\/a> and Villa.<\/p>\n The Blues signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record \u00a3117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal last month.<\/p>\n Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at about \u00a365m, was completing a medical at Villa Park on Thursday as he prepares to reunite with his former Villarreal manager, Unai Emery.<\/p>\n The clubs are known to have a close relationship. They were also involved in a deal widely described as a ‘PSR swap’, which saw defender Ian Maatsen join Villa and Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, move to Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Juventus attempted to sign Martinez earlier in the transfer window, but the deal collapsed because of concerns over a finger injury.<\/p>\n The Italian club instead signed Tottenham<\/a> goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n