Chelsea set sights on a move for 32-year-old World Cup winner

A deal for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had been sought, but it did not come to fruition. And Chelsea are not expected to pursue Maignan anymore- instead, they have set their sights on raiding one of their Premier League rivals.

Emiliano Martinez emerges as a target for Chelsea

According to former scout Mick Brown, Chelsea are considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after Manchester United’s move to get him have hit the buffers.

The 32-year-old 2022 World Cup winner is pushing to leave Aston Villa this summer after he changed agents in a bid to force through a move. He was seen waving goodbye to Villa fans following their final home game of the last season against Tottenham on 16 May.

Following Man United’s struggles to offload Andre Onana, the door has opened for Chelsea to swoop in for Emiliano Martinez. As a result, the Blues could now leapfrog the Red Devils in their pursuit of the Villa star.

“Man United can’t afford to sign Martinez while they still have Onana,” Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider.

“So that has limited their options massively because it looks like they’re struggling to sell. Martinez is a very good goalkeeper, and from what I hear there are a few clubs who have been made aware that he will be available this summer.

“One of those clubs is Chelsea, who have been looking to strengthen in that position. It’s different at Chelsea to Man United, because they’ve got about four goalkeepers but they can go and sign Martinez and worry about what to do with the rest afterwards.

“As things stand, I’d say they’re in a good position to get ahead of United for that deal. The door has been left open so it wouldn’t surprise me to see them make a move. United are very much in danger of missing the boat over this one. They’ve held talks but a Chelsea hijack is looking likely.”

Emiliano Martinez would be an instant upgrade over Robert Sanchez

Having given Sanchez enough time to prove himself at Stamford Bridge and the player still failing to impress, it is time for Chelsea to move him and sign a replacement this summer. Villa’s Martinez has emerged as a target for the Blues.

Martinez, known for his commanding presence and penalty-saving expertise, is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is a proven Premier League commodity and would be an instant upgrade on the error-strewn Sanchez. With Villa demanding around £40m, the North Londoners must be all over signing the Argentina international.