Aston Villa reportedly have a three-man transfer shortlist should we need to replace Emiliano Martinez this summer amid speculation over his future.
Rumours were rife over the 33-year-old’s future last summer, but ultimately he ended up staying at Villa and played a vital role in our successful campaign which resulted in Champions League qualification and the end of our trophy drought having triumphed in the Europa League.
However, doubts have seemingly emerged once again since the season concluded, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that talks are underway with Juventus, who are keen to sign the Argentine international.
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It remains to be seen if an exit materialises this summer or not for Martinez, as it was certainly felt as though it was heading in that direction 12 months ago, only for him to stay and jokingly mock the rumours during the victory parade last month after the squad returned from Istanbul with the Europa League trophy.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t taken long for the talk to build again, and so Villa, sensibly, are reportedly looking at their options and considering potential replacements should Martinez make the move to Turin.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has emerged as a possible transfer target, with the club said to have been scouting the shot-stopper for months.
However, he also notes that he forms part of a three-man shortlist of players who could be the successor to Martinez, and so it will be fascinating to see who emerges as the priority if we need to make a change in that position this summer.
Suzuki, 23, has been at Parma since 2024 and has gone on to make 59 appearances for the Serie A outfit, while he has 24 caps for Japan.
Provided that the report above is accurate, Villa have evidently seen plenty of positive signs in his development and performances thus far that make him a good fit for Unai Emery’s squad, and so time will tell if he arrives as a crucial new signing in the coming months, with the World Cup likely to delay most transfer dealings in the more immediate future.
Nevertheless, if a new goalkeeper were needed, it would be a significant void to fill given Martinez’s impact and influence over the past six years.