Arabic version: العلاقة المتنامية في سوق الانتقالات بين تشيلسي وفيلا

According to BBC News, Chelsea have signed Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m, taking the number of deals between the clubs to eight in the past four years. The 33-year-old World Cup winner has agreed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge after making 256 appearances for Villa, where he helped the club win the Europa League last season.

Martinez’s move follows Nicolas Jackson’s £65m transfer to Villa last week. Four deals have been completed between the clubs this summer: Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea for £117m, Alejandro Garnacho moved to Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy worth about £43m, Jackson joined Villa, and Martinez went to Chelsea. Since 2022, Chelsea have paid Villa £163.5m for players, while Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players including Axel Disasi’s loan fee.

The recent sequence began when BlueCo took control of Chelsea in 2022 and signed Carney Chukwuemeka from Villa for £20m. Ian Maatsen, Omari Kellyman and Disasi have also moved between the sides. BBC Sport’s count of permanent transfers and loans among clubs that have remained in the Premier League since summer 2022 found Chelsea and Villa level with Chelsea and Brighton on eight deals, the highest total.

The frequency has prompted questions from some Premier League club executives, particularly as Chelsea and Villa navigate domestic and European financial regulations. However, there is no suggestion either club has broken rules. Uefa can scrutinise transfers between the same clubs completed within 45 days, but timing alone is not evidence that deals are connected. Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Villa owner Nassef Sawiris have developed a close working relationship, while domestic transfers can offer selling clubs buyers able to meet high fees and wages.