Chelsea have Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez on their ‘radar’ as Graham Potter looks to strengthen his Stamford Bridge squad, journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport.
Blues boss Potter will be handed the first opportunity to welcome fresh faces to west London since his appointment when the winter transfer window opens for business at the turn of the year.
Chelsea transfer news – Emiliano Martinez
Speaking on the House of Champions podcast, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Martinez could join Chelsea next summer.
The respected Italian journalist suggests the Blues or Manchester United, who have shown concrete interest in the 30-year-old, may profit from a goalkeeping domino effect at the end of the season.
Although Villa are in a strong negotiating position thanks to Martinez’s £100,000-per-week contract still having more than four-and-a-half years to run, agent Gustavo Goni has admitted his client is keen to compete in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich have set their sights on completing a January deal for the Argentina international as they look to find a replacement for Manuel Neuer, who is set to miss the remainder of the campaign, while Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also known to be admirers.
Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Tottenham Hotspur are keeping an eye on Martinez’s situation ahead of potentially pouncing next summer.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
What has Simon Phillips said about Martinez?
Phillips understands that Martinez, who has been on Villa’s books since completing a £20million switch from Arsenal in 2020, worked his way onto Chelsea’s shortlist of targets prior to becoming a World Cup winner in Qatar last weekend.
The journalist feels tasting glory on the sport’s biggest stage will have made the Blues even more keen to strike a deal.
Phillips told GiveMeSport: “Even before the World Cup, Emi Martinez was on that shortlist.
“It’s only going to go in his favour after the World Cup he’s just had. He’s definitely on Chelsea’s radar of goalkeepers.”
Would Martinez be a good signing for Chelsea?
According to Transfermarkt, Martinez failed to miss a single minute as Argentina got their hands on the World Cup for a third time.
The 6 ft 5 Villa shot-stopper’s performances resulted in him winning the Golden Glove award, while teammate Lionel Messi described him as a ‘phenomenon’.
That kind of praise emphasises that Martinez would be a strong addition to Chelsea’s squad, while having plenty of Premier League experience – thanks to making 104 appearances in the competition – is an additional attraction.
There are question marks over Edouard Mendy’s future, with Phillips previously telling GiveMeSport that the Blues are not planning to reopen talks over a new contract, so luring a new first-choice goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge could be on the cards.
FBref statistics show that Martinez has conceded less goals per 90 minutes and boasts a better save percentage than the current Chelsea custodian since the campaign got underway, which highlights that the South American would be an upgrade.
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