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Chelsea Plot Emi Martinez Swoop as Jackson Swap Deal with Aston Villa Gains Traction
Chelsea are preparing for a busy transfer window with more additions expected as they return to the Champions League under head coach Enzo Maresca. Having already signed promising striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, the Blues are now being linked with a more experienced target Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Despite typically favouring younger talents, Chelsea appear interested in the 32-year-old World Cup winner, according to The Mirror. Martinez, who has been Aston Villa’s first-choice keeper since joining in 2020, featured in 53 matches last season and has tallied over 200 appearances for the club. His future in the Midlands remains uncertain, particularly as Villa like Chelsea have been involved in recent Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) manoeuvres and could be open to selling if the price is right.
Martinez could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football at Stamford Bridge, a competition Villa missed out on after failing to secure a top-five finish. A move would also see him return to London, where he spent a decade at Arsenal between 2010 and 2020, gaining experience across multiple loan spells before departing for regular top-flight action.
As part of the potential deal, Chelsea may look to include striker Nicolas Jackson in a swap arrangement. Villa are reportedly interested in the Senegalese forward, who joined Chelsea in 2023 but has struggled to find consistent form despite notching 30 goals in 80 appearances. With Delap’s arrival adding competition up front, Jackson could see his playing time diminish, making a move to Villa Park a logical step.
A player-plus-cash deal could benefit both clubs: Chelsea would secure a reliable, experienced goalkeeper, while Villa would gain an attacking reinforcement in Jackson. It’s a scenario that offers a balanced solution, with each side bolstering key areas of their squad heading into the new season.
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