Chelsea now want to sign £17m ‘superstar’ who Enzo Fernandez called an ‘animal’
Chelsea are now interested in signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa as Mauricio Pochettino puts Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy on the transfer list.
That is according to talkSPORT.
So, what are the details involving Chelsea and Emiliano Martinez? Let’s take a look…
Well, Kepa has failed to convince those at Stamford Bridge that he deserves the No.1 shirt, while Mendy has fallen off drastically since being named UEFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021.
Chelsea did not have a reliable No.1 in between the sticks last season, and Pochettino is planning to change that as he earmarks Martinez and Andre Onana as transfer targets.
A lot has been written about the latter in recent weeks.
The Evening Standard believe Chelsea are ready to submit a bid for Onana, after waiting until the Cameroon international’s UEFA Champions League final with Inter Milan ended before opening talks.
It is said that the Italian giants want £50m for the 27-year-old and are in need of a major sale due to financial issues.
While Onana appears to be the priority target, Martinez represents a new name on Chelsea’s shortlist.
The Argentina international has developed into one of Europe’s best goalkeepers since moving to Aston Villa for £17m back in September 2020.
Martinez kept 13 clean sheets in 36 Premier League appearances last season, and also won the Golden Glove at the World Cup as Argentina reigned supreme in Qatar.
Enzo Fernandez would love to have Emi Martinez at Chelsea
If Pochettino did manage to sign Martinez, the South American would surely have no trouble settling in at Chelsea.
The 30-year-old is close friends with Enzo Fernandez, and even received praise from the Chelsea No.5 after winning the FIFA’s Men’s Best Goalkeeper award.
On Instagram, the £106.8m Chelsea man called Martinez an “animal” after picking up the award.
Tim Sherwood has also previously called the Aston Villa No.1 a “superstar” as his stock across the footballing world rises more every season.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as we feel Onana is a more realistic target than Martinez, who Aston Villa will surely demand well over £50m for.