Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for 7.5 million pounds ($10.2 million), with the Argentina international set to move to Stamford Bridge on a two-year contract, the Press Association understands.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper's six-year spell at Villa is coming to an end after negotiations accelerated rapidly following contact between his representatives and Chelsea on Wednesday.
Martinez is expected to challenge for, and potentially take over, the starting goalkeeper position as Chelsea look to strengthen an area that has come under increasing scrutiny.
The move follows a difficult period for Robert Sanchez, whose position as Chelsea's No. 1 has been questioned repeatedly. Sanchez was heavily criticized after Monday's 3-2 victory over Fulham when he allowed a tame Josh King effort to slip through his hands and into the net.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was particularly blunt in his assessment on Sky Sports, saying Chelsea would not win the Premier League with Sanchez in goal.
