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Villa secure Suzuki deal
Aston Villa reached an agreement with Parma to sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki after his proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed, with the transfer framed as a late shift in the goalkeeper market.
“Aston Villa have agreed a £29.9m (€35m) deal with Parma to sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki”
Sky Sports said Villa agreed a £29.9m (€35m) deal with Parma to sign Suzuki, while also noting that Juventus submitted an £8.5m (€10m) bid for Villa No 1 Emiliano Martinez on the same day.
The New York Times reported the deal for the 23-year-old Japan international is worth an initial €30million plus bonuses that could be worth €35m, and said a five-year contract through to 2031 is in place for Suzuki.
BBC reported that Suzuki has made 59 appearances for Parma since joining from J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024, and that his impending arrival leaves Martinez’s future in increasing doubt as Juventus holds an interest in the 33-year-old.
PSG exit and quotes
The collapse of the PSG move was tied to agent demands, with Sports | Local Western saying PSG abandoned the avenue because “agents demanding too much in the opposite camp.”
Sports | Local Western also said Villa would be ready to splash out €30 million, plus €5 million in bonuses, to secure the services of the 23-year-old Japanese goalkeeper, and described the deal as a likely successor plan for Emiliano Martinez.
In parallel, the BBC reported that director of football operations Damian Vidagany had previously confirmed Martinez would stay at Villa Park but that his departure is now more likely before the transfer deadline.
The New York Times added that Suzuki told Parma he “always wanted to join Villa this summer,” while also placing the move in a wider negotiation context involving Emiliano Martinez’s talks with Juventus.
Martinez future and next steps
With Suzuki’s arrival moving closer, the BBC said Martinez could now move to Juventus, and it described the Argentine as a World Cup winner in 2022 and runner-up to Spain this year.
“Martinez could now move to Juventus with the Old Lady having held an interest in the 33-year-old this summer”
Sky Sports reported that Juventus negotiations with Villa for Martinez are ongoing, while also stating that Suzuki is preparing to take the next major step in his career by testing himself in English football.
The New York Times said Martinez had been due to report back for pre-season with Villa on Monday, and it linked the timing to Villa’s pursuit of Suzuki for two years.
BBC also said Martinez missed Wednesday's Super Cup defeat to Paris St-Germain with Unai Emery giving him, along with Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins, a month off after the World Cup, and that he was due to return to full training this week in preparation for Villa's Premier League opener at Brighton on Sunday (14:00 BST).
