Aston Villa will be concerned by Zion Suzuki's 50% display vs the Netherlands as transfer plan accelerates
Aston Villa would surely have kept a close eye on Zion Suzuki as Japan faced the Netherlands in the World Cup on Sunday.
The young goalkeeper, who started in the 2-2 draw against Ronald Koeman's team on 14 June at Dallas Stadium, is reportedly on the Lions' wishlist as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez in the upcoming transfer window.
With the Argentina international being linked with a move away from the Villans, they need to plan for a future without the World Cup winner.
Suzuki pulled off some decent saves to keep the Netherlands out in the first half, but Villa will arguably feel the goalkeeper has significant room for improvement before becoming a regular in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville's goals were unstoppable and the Japan international can't be blamed for how things turned out for Hajime Moriyasu's team.
If the 23-year-old Parma shot-stopper arrives at Villa Park in the summer, it will arguably be based on his long-term potential rather than short-term ability to contribute regularly under Unai Emery.
Aston Villa have options other than Zion Suzuki
Suzuki isn't the only goalkeeper Villa have on their shortlist, with two others being monitored amid uncertainty over Martinez's future.
The Villans are aware of Juventus' interest in the World Cup winner, but the Serie A club are yet to agree any terms with the Villa Park hierarchy over the 33-year-old's exit.
Football Insider have covered recent reports that Villa have been scouting Suzuki for months, with the Japan international the Italian club's number one over the last two seasons.
Parma spent £7.5million in 2024 to sign the shot-stopper from Sint-Truiden and it remains to be seen how much they will demand for his sale.
Zion Suzuki stats from Japan draw vs the Netherlands
Suzuki was calm and composed with the ball for Japan and came in clutch during certain moments over the 90 minutes against the Netherlands.
As per Sofascore, the goalkeeper made four saves in total, recorded seven recoveries and had a goals-prevented score of 0.62.
The shot-stopper's distribution will be a concern, with a passing accuracy of 50 per cent and finding a teammate with just two of his 12 long balls.