12 May 2023 , 19:03
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Chelsea are keen on Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez.
The ailing giants are hunting a new keeper with both £70million Kepa and Champions League-winning Edouard Mendy both under scrutiny.
Martinez is understood to be considering his future at Villa despite a fine season under Unai Emery.
The 30-year-old emerged as the penalty shoot-out hero in December as Argentina lifted a first World Cup since 1986. He has also been a key contributor in Villa’s surge up the Premier League table from relegation trouble to top six contenders.
The Midlands club splashed out £17million to take him from Arsenal three years ago. But after Argentina’s World Cup triumph, Emery revealed he was not a fan of Martinez’s antics during the final and pledged to speak to him about it.
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Emery was also unhappy with Martinez when he went up for a late corner during the 3-2 home defeat to Arsenal in February. The Villa boss said at the time: “He decided himself to go up. They are the protagonists but I told him I don't like it.”
With Tottenham and Manchester United also in the market for new keepers this summer, Martinez is set to find himself in demand.
Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris is understood to have played his last game for the club after coming off at half time during their 6-1 demolition at Newcastle.
Despite a public show of faith from United boss Erik ten Hag in David de Gea, the Spaniard is struggling to retain the faith of the club’s fans and could find himself battling to retain his no.1 spot should United move for Martinez.
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Chelsea are keen on a summer deal for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez (CameraSport via Getty Images)Chelsea's desire to source a new goalkeeper in the summer has also seen them heavily linked with Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. Mirror Football understands that signing a new no.1 is set to be one of Mauricio Pochettino's most pressing priorities once his appointment is officially confirmed - something he has already made clear to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
The Blues have spent over £600m in the transfer market since they were acquired by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last May, but that huge outlay has failed to translate into success.
Ahead of Pochettino's arrival, Chelsea are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League after a rotten run of form. Frank Lampard, who was appointed as Chelsea's caretaker manager after Graham Potter's sacking, is expected to remain in situ until the summer, when Pochettino will officially take charge.
Pochettino enjoyed a highly successful five-year spell at Tottenham before parting company with Chelsea's London rivals back in 2019. The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer.