Zion Suzuki: How Villa's Plan B became a coup
Villa rarely move this fast. Yet within days, they turned a stalled window into a marquee signing. First, Suzuki looked destined for Paris Saint-Germain. Indeed, the French champions had readied a private jet for his medical. Then the deal unravelled, reportedly over commission demands from his camp. Villa spotted the opening and pounced.
19.08.26, 10:46 Updated 20.08.26, 11:44 4 Minute Read
Andrea Locorotondo
Aston Villa have their goalkeeper of the future, and they landed him almost by accident.
The story in brief
- Fee: around £26m (~$35m) up front, rising to about £30m (~$40m) with add-ons; a five-year deal to 2031
- Signed after his Paris Saint-Germain move collapsed, with Emi Martínez's future still unresolved
- Profile: 23-year-old Japan first-choice and a standout at the 2026 World Cup
A £30m deal born from two collapsed transfers
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Andrea Locorotondo SJA and AIPS member. Aston Villa In-Ground correspondent for Opta. Football writer and commentator. If you are coming to Villa Park, you will always find me on seat C22 in the press box.