Chelsea Transfer News: £7.5m Deal For World Cup-Winning Star

Chelsea has moved to secure Emiliano Martínez as its new first-choice goalkeeper after completing a late-window transfer from Aston Villa. Fabrizio Romano reports Martínez has traveled to London for his medical and is signing a contract. The deal is structured as a two-year agreement through June 2028, with an option for a third year. At 33, the World Cup and Copa América winner is expected to start immediately. The transfer was triggered after Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham included two high-profile errors by Robert Sánchez, prompting Xabi Alonso to abandon him. Chelsea activated a £7.5m release clause. Martínez’s 2026 World Cup final included 11 saves versus Spain, and he posted a 71.1% save-completion rate across 32 Premier League matches for Villa last season.