Aston Villa are reportedly in talks with Parma over signing goalkeeper Zion Suzuki with speculation suggesting that an exit for Emiliano Martinez is back on.
The 23-year-old joined the Serie A side in 2024 and has since gone on to make 59 appearances for them while also earning 28 caps for Japan.
While he may still be inexperienced at the top level, there is no doubt that he has made a big impression with his performances and has emerged as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe.
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Evidently, he’s done enough to impress and convince the Villa scouting and recruitment team that he would be a smart signing, as Fabrizio Romano reports that Villa have made a formal approach and are in talks with Parma over a deal for the Japanese international, with a €35m swoop touted as well as a long-term contract.
It comes after his move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed over the weekend, and so it remains to be seen if Villa are able to reach an agreement between the clubs and on personal terms to move forward with the transfer.
Meanwhile, Romano also reports that Juventus are back in for Martinez, although talks haven’t reached an advanced stage as of yet and so it remains to be seen if there is a breakthrough there, as it’s surely unlikely that Villa sign a long-term replacement for the Argentine shot-stopper unless he is moving on.
Whether or not there is a consideration of signing Suzuki, loaning him out for a year and then replacing Martinez next summer remains to be seen, but Villa’s rebuild continues to gather pace in this transfer window as Unai Emery looks to build a younger squad with a fresh long-term plan for success.
Speculation continues to suggest that there is also interest in Ezri Konsa while Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne have already departed, with Joao Gomes, Johan Manzambi and Alejandro Garnacho arriving, while Matteo Ruggeri’s move is expected to be announced early next week.
Losing Martinez would undoubtedly be a blow though given his experience, leadership and the character that he is given we need a core to remain and build around, but if Villa and Emery see this as an opportunity to move on with a top-class successor lined up, then it hopefully proves to be another sensible piece of business.