Manchester United may still have some hope of signing Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki this summer.
We have already seen United sign one goalkeeper this summer with Andre Onana arriving from Inter Milan to become Erik ten Hag’s new number one.
More changes could be coming though with Dean Henderson still wanted by Nottingham Forest this summer.
Tom Heaton looks set to stay put but United will be eyeing up other goalkeepers in case Henderson finally heads back to the City Ground.
There aren’t a ton of names in the mix for that role but United have identified a somewhat left-field target in Zion Suzuki.
Zion Suzuki links took a hit last week
Japanese newspaper Sponichi reported early in July that United had made a move to sign Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Suzuki.
Few United fans will have been aware of Suzuki, who has only made 29 first-team appearances over in Japan.
Suzuki was actually born in the United States to a Japanese mother and a father of Ghanaian descent.
Suzuki qualified to play for any of those three countries but was brought up in Japan and chose the Samurai Blue as his national team.
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Backed for a big future, 20-year-old Suzuki has popped onto United’s radar but transfer hopes took a hit last week.
Sponichi suggested that Suzuki had rejected an offer from United as he was worried about losing his place in the Japan side for next summer’s Olympics.
Belgian side Sint-Truiden are also keen on Suzuki but United may still have some hope yet…
Fabrizio Romano gives update on Manchester United’s Suzuki pursuit
Fabrizio Romano has been speaking on The United Stand and offered an update on United’s interest in Suzuki.
Romano claims that United will be ready to move for a new backup goalkeeper if Henderson does move on this summer.
Romano believes that Suzuki is still a prime contender for that role and that conversations have already been held.
The Italian suggests that United have been trying to figure out if Suzuki wants to make the move to Old Trafford amid those reports that he isn’t sure.
Romano indicated that Suzuki would be excited to join United but the real sticking point is the stance of Urawa Red Diamonds.
The J1 League side want to keep Suzuki until January, which is preventing United from advancing a summer deal for the stopper.
“Manchester United will be ready for a new backup goalkeeper – Suzuki remains a player they appreciate,” said Romano. “They had conversations on the player’s side to understand the plan of the player. He’s a young goalkeeper, so before bringing him in, they wanted to make sure he was considering this as the best step for this future and the player would be excited to join Manchester United.”
“The real point is with his club, because his Japanese club still hope to keep the player until January, that’s the idea of the club. Of course, if Manchester United decide to go there and sign the player, they will have more than a good chance, but at the moment, it’s not something that advanced because of the Japanese club,” he added.