Aston Villa’s search for their next goalkeeper has moved into overdrive.

Emiliano Martinez is still a Villa player, but his future has dominated summer at Villa Park. Juventus held talks over the Argentina international and reportedly agreed personal terms, only for their opening offer to fall well short of Villa’s valuation.

The Italian club have since explored alternatives, leaving Martinez due to return to Unai Emery’s squad after his extended World Cup break.

Villa have refused to wait for certainty before making succession plans.

James Trafford was considered earlier in the window, although the England goalkeeper has now joined Leeds after spending last season behind Gianluigi Donnarumma at Man City.

Guillaume Restes and Robin Risser were also watched following campaigns in France. Restes has built considerable senior experience with Toulouse, while Risser enhanced his reputation during his first season at Lens.

Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu and Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin have featured in reports too. Both offer size, top-flight experience and room for development, although neither pursuit has resulted in talks.

That extensive search showed Villa were looking beyond a short-term deputy for Martinez.

Marco Bizot remains an experienced reserve, but Emery’s side need someone capable of eventually taking control of the position. With Champions League football returning, there is little room for a lengthy adjustment period.

Zion Suzuki now appears to be the man they want.

The 23-year-old was born in the United States but grew up in Japan and developed at Urawa Red Diamonds’ academy. He moved to Europe with Sint-Truiden before Parma signed him in 2024.

His first Serie A campaign established him as Parma’s number one. Last season was interrupted by a serious hand injury, limiting his club appearances, but he recovered in time to strengthen his reputation with Japan at the World Cup.

He is powerful, quick across his line and comfortable dealing with crosses. He also has the confidence to receive possession under pressure, an important demand in an Emery team that builds attacks from its goalkeeper.

PSG appeared to have won the race, and the French champions had been working on an agreement worth around £26 million, with the possibility of Suzuki then spending the season on loan at Juventus.

That arrangement began to unravel when the Turin club moved towards other targets.

Now the entire PSG transfer has collapsed, opening the door for Villa, who working to completely hijack the move.

Aston Villa phone Parma and Suzuki's agent as they work to hijack PSG

Fabrizio Romano says Villa have now called both Parma and Suzuki’s representatives after learning that the move to Paris was off.

Villa are prepared to match PSG’s £26m-plus proposal, and negotiations are now under way.

There is still work to complete and Martinez’s position cannot be ignored, with Juve apparently back in the frame following reports this afternoon.

Suzuki is unlikely to leave Parma without a clear idea of how much he will play, but Villa have moved quickly at a moment of opportunity.

If they close the deal, they would be securing a goalkeeper who could challenge immediately and potentially own the position for much of the next decade.