Aston Villa are in advanced negotiations to sign Zion Suzuki after Paris Saint-Germain’s proposed move for the Parma goalkeeper collapsed.
Villa moved decisively for the Japan international on Saturday, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the club had made a formal approach to Parma and were ready to match the financial package offered by PSG.
The situation has since developed further.
talkSPORT reports that Aston Villa are now in advanced talks with Parma, after PSG’s proposed deal worth around £29million collapsed following a change in commission terms.
It has suddenly opened the door for Unai Emery’s side to land a goalkeeper they have tracked for several months.
Aston Villa accelerate Zion Suzuki transfer
Suzuki was already firmly established on Villa’s goalkeeper shortlist before the latest developments.
ReadAstonVilla previously reported on Villa’s long-standing interest in Suzuki, with the Parma goalkeeper viewed as one of the possible options should Emi Martinez leave Villa Park.
Villa’s interest has now moved considerably further than succession planning.
PSG had previously submitted a €33m package to Parma and moved ahead of Juventus in the race for Suzuki. Parma were prepared to proceed and the French club had also presented their project to the goalkeeper.
That deal has now fallen apart.
Villa have taken advantage by accelerating their own negotiations, putting themselves in a far stronger position than they occupied only days ago.
Emi Martinez future enters the picture again
The timing inevitably brings Martinez’s future back into focus.
Juventus have reopened discussions around the Argentina international after previously deciding the overall cost of signing him was too high.
Fabrizio Romano reported that talks following Saturday’s contact were not yet advanced, while Juventus continue to assess other goalkeeper options. Villa, meanwhile, were continuing to progress their Suzuki pursuit.
That does not mean Martinez is certain to leave.
His contract runs until 2029 and Villa have previously insisted that they want him to remain at the club.
Yet Villa moving from monitoring Suzuki to a formal approach and now advanced negotiations is significant.
PSG appeared to have taken the goalkeeper off the market.
Their withdrawal has handed Villa an unexpected opening, and Emery’s side appear determined to take advantage.
