Chelsea Transfer News Today: Martinez talks 'advancing' as Alonso loses faith in Sanchez

Updated: 26 Aug 2026 21:00 BST | 5 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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FootballTransfers runs through the latest Chelsea transfer news, rumours and gossip, including updates on Emi Martinez, Honest Ahanor and Alex Scott.

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Martinez deal in progress

Xabi Alonso is said to be prioritising the purchase of a new number one goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez’s mistakes in Chelsea’s opening game of the season, with a deal for Emi Martinez progressing.

Sanchez made multiple errors in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday and Alonso is keen to bring in Martinez as a replacement, with David Ornstein and The Athletic confirming that the Argentine had been offered to the Blues.

Discussions are thought to be advancing over Martinez, with the 33-year-old keen to leave Aston Villa after being replaced as the club’s number one.

Villa are thought to be demanding around €10m for Martinez and the World Cup winner has been training away from the squad as he looks to find a new club before the deadline.

Chelsea given green light for Ahanor

Chelsea have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Honest Ahanor, with Atalanta’s sporting director admitting the wonderkid could still be sold this summer.

Ahanor has emerged as a target for Chelsea in recent days, with reports in Italy claiming that the Blues have already opened talks over a deal for the 18-year-old.

Atalanta are believed to value Ahanor at around €50 million, having only signed the defender for €16m last summer and with teams such as Brighton also interested in his signature.

“There's a lot of interest in some of our players, but we haven't received any offers yet, not even for Ahanor. If so, we'll evaluate it," Atalanta sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli explained. "We'll be very careful about what happens.”

Villa agree Jackson deal

Aston Villa have agreed a €76m financial package to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, The Athletic reports.

The Birmingham club will pay a guaranteed €55m for the Senegal international, with the rest of the fee owed to Chelsea if certain bonuses are triggered. Jackson is expected to sign a long-term contract.

Villa have had to be mindful of UEFA rules in their pursuit of the striker after the sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea. Any permanent deal between the two clubs is liable to be classified as a trade for Rogers, which would reduce Villa's profit on the England star. It remains to be seen how UEFA will respond to this transfer.

Disasi completes Crystal Palace loan

Axel Disasi has completed his loan move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace until the end of the season.

The French defender hasn’t played for Chelsea since January 2025 and spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham.

Having sold Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea earlier in the summer, Palace had been looking for a replacement and both teams had been in talks over a deal for a number of weeks.

The deal has been finalised now, with Disasi joining on a straight loan containing no option or obligation to buy.

Alex Scott latest

Bournemouth are not anticipating a fresh approach from Chelsea for Alex Scott after insisting their star midfielder is not for sale.

Chelsea have seen a number of bids rejected this summer for Scott but Bournemouth are refusing to budge on their stance even with the player keen to make the move.

Scott is thought to be Chelsea’s ideal choice to replace Enzo Fernandez, who Manchester City are expected to make a fresh bid for in the coming days.

Fernandez’s departure could see Chelsea make another aggressive approach, although any deal will likely go down to the wire ahead of the transfer deadline on 1 September.