Aston Villa are preparing for the potential departure of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with reports suggesting he is nearing a ‘total agreement’ with Juventus ahead of a summer transfer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Argentina international is poised to end his six-year spell at Villa Park, with the Italian giants pushing to secure his signature.
Juventus initially targeted Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, but shifted their focus to Martinez after the Premier League club blocked any potential sale. The Old Lady are reportedly prepared to offer Martinez a contract worth €5m per season, though negotiations regarding a transfer fee are ongoing. Villa are seeking a fee in the region of €15m (£13m), while Juventus are hoping to secure a deal for less.
With Martinez’s exit seemingly increasingly likely, Aston Villa have begun identifying potential replacements, with Parma’s Zion Suzuki emerging as a key target. Romano reports that Villa have been scouting the 23-year-old Japan international for ‘several months’ and he is part of a three-player shortlist. Suzuki has made 57 appearances for Parma since joining from Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024, demonstrating his command of the penalty area and ability to intercept crosses.
Parma are expected to demand between €25-30m (£21.5-26m) for Suzuki, and Villa will continue to monitor his performances at the upcoming World Cup, where Japan face Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden. Manchester City’s James Trafford is also on Villa’s radar, though Tottenham Hotspur, under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, could be strong competition for his signature. De Zerbi is reportedly keen on the England stopper, viewing him as a suitable replacement for Guglielmo Vicario, who may return to Italy. A third unnamed goalkeeper is also under consideration by Villa.
Martinez has been a key figure for Aston Villa since joining in 2020, playing a crucial role in their recent success, including qualification for European football. His departure would leave a significant void, but the club are proactively seeking a capable replacement to maintain their competitiveness.
