Emiliano Martinez has been offered to Chelsea as Aston Villa seek a new club for their want-away goalkeeper.
After his move to Juventus collapsed earlier this month despite an initial £6million offer, Martinez is now one of three senior keepers in the Villa squad following the arrival of Zion Suzuki at Villa Park.
Martinez is also Villa’s top earner following the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United in July, and Unai Emery intends to press ahead with Suzuki and Marco Bizot.
Earlier in the summer, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso indicated he was happy with keepers Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders.
But Sanchez’s shaky display in Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Fulham raised more question marks about the Spaniard.
Aston Villa have replaced Emiliano Martinez with Zion Suzuki and he is available for transfer
Asked about Sanchez on Wednesday, Alonso said: ‘Normal conversations. We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better. It was more about understanding the context.
‘Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team-related.’
Chelsea have brought 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders into their squad after a successful loan at Strasbourg last season.
Alonso today suggested he is likely to start Thursday’s Carabao Cup game against Luton Town. ‘He’s in the squad and will have an opportunity,’ he said.
The Blues rate the former Genk youth shot-stopper, who has been likened to former Chelsea man Thibaut Courtois, very highly.
A move for Martinez, at 33 years old, would not be viewed as blocking Penders’ progress.
