Aston Villa are pressing ahead with a move for Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, a signal that Emiliano Martinez's long-term future at the club is now firmly in question.
The Japan international has emerged as Villa's leading candidate to succeed Martinez should the Argentine depart before the transfer deadline, and reports suggest a fee in the region of £30m is being discussed for the 23-year-old shot-stopper. Suzuki, who was born in the United States but represents Japan through his mother, featured in all four of his country's matches at this year's World Cup and has built a strong reputation since moving to Europe.
He joined Parma from J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024 and has since made 59 appearances for the Italian club, establishing himself as one of the most promising young goalkeepers outside the Premier League. His potential switch to Villa Park would represent a significant statement of intent from the club as they look to plan for the future between the posts.
Suzuki's expected arrival appears to clear the path for Martinez to leave, with Juventus having shown interest in the 33-year-old this summer. The Italian giants are believed to be keen on bringing in an experienced figure between the sticks, and Martinez's profile fits that requirement given his trophy-laden career.
Martinez has been a mainstay for Villa since arriving from Arsenal for £17m back in 2020, going on to make 256 appearances for the club. During that time he became a fan favourite and a crucial figure in Unai Emery's setup, playing a central role in Villa's Europa League triumph in May, which ended a 30-year wait for a major trophy at the club.
The goalkeeper has also enjoyed remarkable success on the international stage with Argentina, lifting the World Cup in 2022 before finishing as a runner-up to Spain this year. Despite director of football operations Damian Vidagany previously insisting that Martinez would remain at Villa Park, the situation has since shifted, and a departure before the transfer window closes now looks increasingly probable.
Martinez was notably absent from Villa's Super Cup defeat against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday, having been given extra time off following the World Cup. Emery opted to rest the goalkeeper along with defender Ezri Konsa and forward Ollie Watkins for a month after the tournament, a decision aimed at managing player workloads following an intense international schedule.
Martinez had been expected to rejoin full training this week as Villa prepare for the start of their Premier League campaign, which kicks off away at Brighton on Sunday. However, with talks over his future gathering pace, there is uncertainty over whether he will be part of Emery's plans beyond the coming days.
Should the move for Suzuki be completed, it would mark a major shift in Villa's goalkeeping department, ushering in a new era just months after their historic European success. For Martinez, a switch to Juventus would offer a fresh challenge in Serie A as he continues a career already decorated with major honours both at club and international level.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.