Zion Suzuki is undergoing his Aston Villa medical after the club pressed ahead with a €35million deal for the Parma goalkeeper despite Emi Martinez’s proposed move to Juventus collapsing.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Monday morning that Suzuki is completing medical tests ahead of his move to Villa Park.
Villa have agreed to pay Parma an initial €30m plus €5m in add-ons, with a long-term contract already in place for the Japan international.
The significant part is not simply that Suzuki has reached the medical stage.
Villa are completing the transfer even though Martinez remains at the club.
Zion Suzuki medical confirms Aston Villa’s No.1 decision
When Villa first began pursuing Suzuki, his potential arrival was closely tied to Martinez leaving.
That link has now been broken.
Villa agreed a deal for Suzuki on Sunday while Juventus were attempting to negotiate a transfer for Martinez.
Hours later, Juventus abandoned their Martinez pursuit.
Villa could have reconsidered.
Instead, Suzuki arrived for his medical on Monday morning and the deal continues towards completion.
That provides the clearest indication yet of how highly Unai Emery’s side value the 23-year-old.
Reports around the agreement have stated that Villa intend Suzuki to become their first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026/27 campaign.
Emi Martinez situation becomes even more intriguing
Martinez remains under contract until 2029 after Juventus decided to look elsewhere.
The Argentina international has made more than 250 Villa appearances and helped Emery’s side win the Europa League last season before returning to the Champions League.
Suzuki’s arrival therefore creates an immediate selection question.
ReadAstonVilla has already analysed what Suzuki can bring and what replacing Martinez would mean, but the medical moves that debate closer to reality.
Villa open their Premier League season at Brighton on Sunday.
If Suzuki’s transfer is completed and registered quickly, Emery could soon have to choose between the goalkeeper who defined Villa’s recent rise and the man the club have just committed €35m to sign.
The Martinez transfer collapsed.
Villa’s plan for Suzuki clearly did not.
