Emiliano Martínez to Chelsea
Verdict Delivered
This deal HAPPENED. Emiliano Martínez completed the move, which we were tracking at 98% when it went through.
| Move | Villa → Chelsea |
| Outcome | Completed |
| Rated at the end | 98% |
| Resolved | August 30th |
Villa and Chelsea have completed the paperwork on Martínez's £7.5m exit. Fabrizio Romano reported on August 28th that all documents had been signed by both clubs, a day after the fee was agreed and the goalkeeper travelled to London for his medical. He is expected to sign a two-year contract to June 2028 with a Chelsea option for a further season; personal terms were settled without difficulty. Chelsea moved after Robert Sánchez's error in the win at Fulham reopened questions over their goalkeeping options, with Zion Suzuki's arrival at Villa Park already installing Martínez's successor as Emery's No. 1. Only a formal club announcement now remains outstanding.
This page is kept as part of our public track record — every rumor's final outcome stays published against the likelihood we gave it.
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How the Story Moved
| Date | What changed | |
|---|---|---|
| August 26th | Tracked | Rumor opened on the board at 50% (talks) — source: Fabrizio Romano (X); David Ornstein (The Athletic); Jacob Tanswell (The Athletic). Chelsea are in negotiations with Martínez's camp over a possible late move, Fabrizio Romano reported on August 26th: the goalkeeper has been offered to Chelsea with Zion Suzuki now Villa's No. 1, talks ongoing and Chelsea considering the option, Martínez himself keen. David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell reported the same story for The Athletic minutes earlier: his representatives have offered him to Chelsea, and Villa have made clear he is available to leave following Suzuki's arrival. TEAMtalk separately reported intermediaries have also offered him to Tottenham, with Villa not demanding a big fee, under £10m; Chelsea had been reported to have ruled out a move on August 17th, so this marks their return to the picture. Martínez missed the Brighton opener for lack of match fitness, with Suzuki set to make his Villa debut against Arsenal on August 31st. |
| August 28th | Moved | Likelihood rose from 50% to 82% (agreed). Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee with Villa to sign Martínez, Sky Sports reported at 7:38pm UK time on August 27th, with David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano both confirming the agreement; personal terms and a medical remain outstanding on a reported two-year contract. |
| August 28th | Moved | Likelihood rose from 50% to 82% (agreed). Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee with Villa to sign Martínez, Sky Sports reported at 7:38pm UK time on August 27th, with David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano both confirming the agreement; personal terms and a medical remain outstanding on a reported two-year contract. Sky Sports News had reported Chelsea were considering a late move after No.1 Robert Sánchez came under criticism for his error in Monday's win at Fulham, with question marks now raised over whether both Sánchez and Mike Penders stay at Stamford Bridge. It follows Fabrizio Romano's August 26th report that Martínez had been offered to Chelsea with Zion Suzuki now Villa's No. 1, and TEAMtalk's line that Villa are not demanding a big fee, under £10m -- consistent with the figure now agreed. Martínez missed the Brighton opener for lack of match fitness; Chelsea had ruled out a move on August 17th before returning to the picture. |
| August 28th | Moved | Likelihood rose from 82% to 95% (medical). Martínez arrived in London on August 28th to complete his Chelsea medical and sign his contract, Fabrizio Romano reported, a day after Sky Sports, David Ornstein and Romano confirmed Villa and Chelsea had agreed a £7.5m fee. The 33-year-old is expected to sign until June 2028 with a Chelsea option for a further season; personal terms were settled without difficulty. Chelsea moved after Robert Sánchez's error in the win at Fulham raised fresh questions over their goalkeeping options, with Zion Suzuki's arrival at Villa Park already installing Martínez's successor as Emery's No. 1. Martínez missed the Brighton opener for lack of match fitness; Chelsea had ruled out a move on August 17th before returning for him this week. |
| August 28th | Moved | Likelihood rose from 95% to 98% (final). Villa and Chelsea have completed the paperwork on Martínez's £7.5m exit. Fabrizio Romano reported on August 28th that all documents had been signed by both clubs, a day after the fee was agreed and the goalkeeper travelled to London for his medical. He is expected to sign a two-year contract to June 2028 with a Chelsea option for a further season; personal terms were settled without difficulty. Chelsea moved after Robert Sánchez's error in the win at Fulham reopened questions over their goalkeeping options, with Zion Suzuki's arrival at Villa Park already installing Martínez's successor as Emery's No. 1. Only a formal club announcement now remains outstanding. |
| August 30th | Verdict | Deal DONE — completed after being tracked at 98% |
Timeline reflects our tracking history since the rumor joined the board, not every media mention. For everything Villa, live: the Verdict homepage.