Chelsea agree £7.5m deal for Emi Martinez as Xabi Alonso lands experienced goalkeeper

Chelsea have agreed a £7.5million deal with Aston Villa to sign Emiliano Martinez, with Xabi Alonso moving to strengthen his goalkeeping options before the transfer deadline.

The Argentina international is expected to sign a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge with an option for a further season.

Martinez's arrival would give Alonso an experienced alternative to Robert Sánchez, whose position has again come under scrutiny following costly mistakes at the beginning of the new Premier League season.

Chelsea have invested heavily in younger players in recent transfer windows, but the move for Martinez represents a different type of recruitment.

The World Cup winner brings extensive Premier League and international experience and has spent the last six years establishing himself as one of Aston Villa's most important players.

At £7.5m, Chelsea have been able to secure an experienced goalkeeper without making another major financial commitment.

The proposed two-year contract also reflects Martinez's age, while the additional one-year option gives Chelsea flexibility should the move prove successful.

Strengthening in goal had become a priority for Alonso.

Robert Sánchez has remained Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, but his performances have regularly generated debate because of high-profile individual errors.

Those concerns resurfaced immediately this season during Chelsea's 3-2 victory over Fulham, when Sánchez was criticised for his involvement in both goals conceded.

There have also been positives in the Spaniard's performances. His shot-stopping numbers have often compared favourably with other Premier League goalkeepers, while he has performed particularly well when dealing with crosses and high balls.

However, the frequency and visibility of his mistakes have remained a concern.

Martinez provides Alonso with a vastly experienced option who has operated under significant pressure for both club and country.

Martinez's CV is one of the major attractions for Chelsea.

The Argentine was a central figure in his country's 2022 World Cup triumph and has also won major international honours at Copa América level.

He also knows English football extremely well following spells with Arsenal and Aston Villa.

That experience could prove particularly useful within a Chelsea squad containing a large number of younger players.

His arrival will also create immediate competition for Sánchez rather than leaving Alonso dependent on the Spaniard regardless of form.

Martinez's signing inevitably raises questions about Sánchez's position.

Chelsea's decision to recruit an established goalkeeper suggests Alonso wanted genuine competition rather than simply another backup option.

Sánchez has produced strong performances during his Chelsea career, but his mistakes have too often dominated the discussion surrounding him.

Martinez now gives Alonso the opportunity to make a change without sacrificing Premier League experience.

Whether the Argentine immediately becomes Chelsea's new No.1 will ultimately be Alonso's decision, but Sánchez will face considerably greater competition for his place.

Martinez is expected to complete the remaining formalities before signing his Chelsea contract.

Attention will then turn to Xabi Alonso's goalkeeper hierarchy and whether Martinez immediately replaces Sánchez as Chelsea's first choice or initially competes with him for the position.