London, June 30, 2025 – Chelsea weigh £45m move for World Cup winner Martínez as goalkeeper dilemma deepens. Chelsea are evaluating a surprise £45 million move for Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who has been formally offered to the club as Villa scramble to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The potential transfer pits the Blues against Manchester United in a high-stakes battle for the Argentine stopper, though Martínez reportedly favours a switch to Old Trafford.
Villa’s Financial Pressures Drive Sale
Aston Villa face a summer fire sale to avoid PSR breaches, and the 32-year-old World Cup winner Martínez – whose contract runs until 2029 – has emerged as their most viable high-value asset. Villa are reluctant to part with emerging talent Morgan Rogers, making their captain and two-time Yashin Trophy winner expendable despite his pivotal role in their sixth-place finish and historic Champions League run last season. The club has already identified Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens as a potential replacement but faces competition from United for the Belgian.
Martínez’s Preference: United or Chelsea?
While Chelsea have received encouragement from Villa, Martínez’s personal stance complicates negotiations. Sources in South America indicate he “dreams” of joining Manchester United, where he could replace the under-fire André Onana. However, new United boss Rúben Amorim has prioritised other positions and can only pursue Martínez if Onana is sold for approximately £35 million – a scenario Saudi clubs could facilitate but one that remains uncertain. This delay gives Chelsea an opening to strike, with Villa eager for a swift resolution.
Chelsea’s Tactical Imperative
Manager Enzo Maresca has urgently sought a proven goalkeeper after Robert Sánchez and Filip Jorgensen delivered inconsistent performances during Chelsea’s Champions League qualification campaign. Martínez’s credentials are impeccable:
– Elite Pedigree: Key to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América triumphs, combining shot-stopping brilliance with leadership.
– Premier League Proven: Recorded nine clean sheets in 37 league appearances last term, commanding Villa’s defence under Unai Emery.
– Mentorship Advantage: Chelsea assistant Willy Caballero – a fellow Argentine and “huge admirer” – is personally advocating for the transfer, potentially swaying Martínez’s decision.
Broader Goalkeeper Market Dominoes
Martínez’s future is intertwined with a chain reaction of Premier League goalkeeper moves:
1. Newcastle are closing in on Burnley’s James Trafford for £40 million, despite initial reservations about the fee.
2. Leeds United are monitoring Newcastle’s Nick Pope as a potential replacement should Trafford arrive at St James’ Park.
3. Chelsea’s alternatives included AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, but talks collapsed over the £20 million valuation. Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen also remains on their radar.
Challenges for Chelsea
Fabrizio Romano has downplayed Chelsea’s current involvement, stating their “focus is on different positions”. However, Maresca explicitly requested the signing, viewing Martínez as an immediate upgrade who can stabilise their defence. Key hurdles remain:
– Martínez’s Ambition: His preference for United could lead to a standoff unless Chelsea secure a firm agreement before Amorim resolves the Onana situation.
– Squad Dynamics: Signing Martínez would likely trigger the sale of Sánchez or Jorgensen, adding complexity to negotiations.
– PSR Calculations: Villa’s £45 million demand is non-negotiable. They let Chelsea in requirement to allocate funds quickly after sealing deals for Jamie Gittens (£55m) and João Pedro (£60m).
A Test of Transfer Strategy
Chelsea’s chase of World Cup winner Martínez represents their aggressive, opportunistic strategy in the transfer market. Although the goalkeeper prefers United, if the Blues can move with conviction, and take advantage of Caballero’s influence and Villa’s need to sell, any personal preference about where to go may be irrelevant. Should they successfully execute the deal, this will be their fourth high-profile signing this summer. This shows they are not messing around in forming a squad that can compete for the Premier League title. If they do not pull it off, it illustrates just how uncertain transfer plans can become. This generally happens when an elite level talent can publicly woo multiple clubs at once.
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