Chelsea agree to sign World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi for £7.5m

ByTech Word News

Lionel Messi, left, goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez and Geronimo Rulli react during the Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP) Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m deal to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez ahead of the summer transfer window, according to the BBC.The 33-year-old Argentina international will undergo a medical in London before joining Chelsea’s goalkeeping group at Stamford Bridge.The move comes after concerns over Roberto Sanchez’s performances, particularly during Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday.Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso made signing a goalkeeper a priority after Sanchez’s performance against Fulham. The trade for Martinez was completed quickly after that decision.Martinez fell out of favor at Aston Villa after the club signed Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m earlier this month. Martinez is expected to sign a two-year contract with Chelsea, with an option to extend it by another year.Sanchez is Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper from 2023. Against Fulham, he allowed Josh King’s shot to slip through his hands at the near post. Later in the game, he poured another effort into the danger area to allow Gonzalo Garcia to score.Chelsea had previously backed Sanchez as their first-choice goalkeeper, but the club have now decided to bring in Martinez just days before the transfer window closes.Chelsea also have Mike Penders, who arrived from Genk for £17m, as another goalkeeping option. He is expected to make his Carabao Cup debut against Luton Town on Thursday night.Chelsea are also expected to have a busy end to the transfer window as Manchester City continue their attempts to sign Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine midfielder wants to leave Chelsea and has been left out of the squad for Thursday’s Carabao Cup game against Luton.The transfer is another deal between Chelsea and Aston Villa in recent weeks.Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved to Villa on an initial loan deal last month.Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson underwent a medical at Villa Park on Thursday as he prepares for a reunion with his former Villarreal manager Unai Emery. Villa values ​​the deal at around £65m.The two clubs have completed several transfers recently, including Ian Maatsen joining Villa and Omari Kellyman moving to Chelsea in a deal widely described as a PSR swap.Martinez also attracted interest from Juventus earlier in the transfer window, but the move collapsed due to finger injury concerns. Juventus later signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicari on loan.