Aston Villa are closing in on their second summer signing as they look to bolster their squad ahead of a packed campaign.
According to The Athletic, Villa are finalising a move for experienced goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Stade Brest. The 34-year-old, who earned his only senior Netherlands cap in 2020, is expected to arrive for a low fee as a direct replacement for Robin Olsen. Olsen’s final appearance came in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on the last day of the season.
Villa have had a cautious start to the transfer window as they look to remain within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). So far, they’ve spent around £7 million on Yasin Ozcan, a promising young defender from Turkish club Kasimpasa.
Bizot Set for Villa Park Switch
Marco Bizot is being brought in to compete with Emi Martinez across a demanding season expected to feature at least 48 matches. Villa staff view the Dutch veteran as a dependable option and have monitored his situation since Olsen’s departure earlier this summer.
Bizot featured 41 times for Brest last season, including nine appearances in the Champions League. He kept 12 clean sheets but conceded 68 goals in all competitions. Brest finished ninth in Ligue 1, dropping from third the year before.
Since joining Brest in 2021, Bizot has made 148 appearances. Before that, he played for AZ Alkmaar, Genk, Groningen, Cambuur, and came through the ranks at Ajax. He’s been a consistent first-choice keeper throughout his career and has often been involved with the Dutch national squad.
Uncertain Future for Emi Martinez
There has been speculation about Emi Martinez’s future, with rumours linking him to Manchester United. The Argentine World Cup winner was emotional after Villa’s win over Tottenham in their penultimate match, fuelling talk of a possible exit.
While The Athletic reports that United have held initial talks with Martinez, no formal bid has been made and the keeper is expected back for pre-season training in the coming days.
Martinez was shown a red card in the final game against United, which means he’s suspended for the season opener against Newcastle. Should Bizot complete his move in time, he is likely to debut in that match.
