Chelsea are weighing a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after making contact with the Argentina international’s representatives.
The 33 year old is viewed as available after Villa brought in Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for about £30m earlier this month.
The approach could open another piece of business between the two clubs. Chelsea signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club record £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho went the other way on an initial loan.
Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued around £65m, could also move to Villa and work again with Unai Emery.
The clubs already work closely. They previously completed a deal often labelled a PSR swap, with defender Ian Maatsen joining Villa and Omari Kellyman heading to Chelsea. Kellyman is now at Strasbourg.
Why Martinez is on the market and who else tried
Juventus tried to sign Martinez earlier in the window. That move fell apart over concerns about a finger injury.
The Italian club then took Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan instead.
Villa’s signing of Suzuki has changed the picture in goal and left Martinez as a realistic outgoing option. For Chelsea that timing matters, because questions over the current first choice have grown after the opening Premier League match.
Sanchez errors put the number one spot in focus
The interest comes amid doubts over Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez, Chelsea’s current number one, was beaten at his near post by Josh King’s angled shot in the first Premier League game against Fulham. He later spilled another effort into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score. Chelsea still won 3-2 at Craven Cottage.
Manager Xavi Alonso first defended the Spanish goalkeeper after that match and was asked about him again before the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge.
“No, we have had normal conversations,” he said. “We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better.
“It was more about understanding the context. Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team related.”
Number two Mike Penders, back from a strong loan at Strasbourg, could start instead.
Asked about Penders, Alonso added: “He’s in the squad, so he has an opportunity.
“We will decide and give the team to the players tomorrow, so I prefer to expect that they know first.”
