Aston Villa have reportedly reached an agreement with Parma to sign goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in a deal worth €35m in total.
It has been a fast moving situation for Villa this weekend, as speculation began to surface that the club were pushing to sign the 23-year-old following the collapse of his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In turn, rumours then began to build that Emiliano Martinez’s previously touted move to Juventus was back on, as Villa prepare for a major reshuffle between the posts.
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According to David Ornstein, Villa have now reached an agreement with Parma for Suzuki in a deal worth an initial €30m plus €5m in add-ons, while it’s also suggested that personal terms have been agreed too, with Suzuki set to sign a five-year contract.
It’s also noted that the Japanese international has been keen on a move to join Villa throughout despite going close to making the move to Paris, and so it appears as though he is now set to get his wish as he begins a new chapter in his career having impressed in Italy and with Japan at international level.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the two clubs are now exchanging documents and he will travel to undergo his medical and complete the formalities of the transfer imminently. Further, he has also noted that Juventus are still keen on Martinez, but negotiations are seemingly continuing over that exit.
That said, if Villa are pressing ahead with completing a swoop for Suzuki, that would undoubtedly suggest that they are confident that Martinez to Juventus, or an exit in general, will happen, and so we’re moving to fill that void as quickly as possible with a target who has been our priority solution for some time.
In turn, it’s sensible work from the club, albeit it’s a blow to lose the experience and quality of Martinez, as he has instrumental in our progress and success up to this point.
However, it’s evidently a real summer of change for the club with big exits and exciting incomings, and it looks as though we’ll have a new No.1 between the posts for the upcoming season if all goes through without any late issues.