Chelsea are in discussions with Emiliano Martínez's representatives after the goalkeeper was offered to them, with the club weighing up whether to make a formal move. Martínez has told Aston Villa he wants to leave, and a proposed switch to Juventus fell through last week once Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma as his replacement. The interest comes as Chelsea continue to search for a reliable No 1, with Robert Sánchez's error-prone displays under scrutiny following two mistakes that contributed to goals conceded against Fulham on Monday.

Martínez, 33, brings considerable pedigree, having won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, reached the 2026 final, lifted the Europa League with Villa last season and won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020. He was left out of Villa's squad for their heavy opening-weekend defeat at Brighton, with Marco Bizot preferred in goal and Suzuki on the bench. Chelsea have not kept a Premier League clean sheet in 17 matches, their worst run since 1991, while 21-year-old Mike Penders is being groomed as a long-term option, leaving new manager Xabi Alonso with a decision to make on his goalkeeping options.