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With Juventus\u2019 attempt to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez looking rather dead in the water with every passing day, the need to pivot becomes all the more obvious. That means shifting to a new option in goal that may not be at the level or profile of Martinez in terms of accomplishments or experience, but also one that could potentially be more of a longer term answer rather than only a couple of seasons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The main name right now? That of Parma\u2019s Zion Suzuki, whose stock is quite high following a quality showing with Japan at the World Cup earlier this summer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
That is what SportItalia\u2019s Alfredo Pedulla reported on Thursday, saying that Suzuki\u2019s preference would be to sign with Juventus this summer. This comes at the same time that we\u2019ve heard about interest from two-time defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain, who already look ready to move on from last season\u2019s big goalkeeper purchase in the form of Lucas Chevalier. But the thing that Juventus can likely offer the 23-year-old Suzuki that may not be so certain at PSG is the chance to start right away, with the starter of the last two seasons, Michele Di Gregorio, very much looking like somebody who could be the one on the way out if the New Jersey-born Japanese international arrives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The price tag for Suzuki is not a cheap one by any means, with Parma reportedly wanting at least \u20ac30 million \u2014 and maybe even closer to \u20ac40 million \u2014 if they are to sell him this summer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
But let us repeat what Pedulla said: Suzuki\u2019s preference is to sign with Juventus. That doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s not also OK with signing with Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but Juve is his top choice as things stand right now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What that means for Juventus\u2019 ability to sign him still remains to be seen. After spending a good amount of money on Randal Kolo Muani and Kerim Alajbegovi\u0107, it\u2019s hard to say how much Juve are going to be willing \u2014 or, maybe more importantly, being capable of \u2014 to spend on other players this summer without seeing players sold to fund things.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
We know all too well how Juve haven\u2019t been willing to meet Aston Villa\u2019s demands for Martinez, so who knows if the same can be said about Suzuki. But, at least right now, you can say the player wants Juventus just like Juventus wants the player. But if it will actually happen is still very much a question mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n