Manchester United 'set to sign' Zion Suzuki after having 'record bid' accepted
An unexpected move from United.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Transfers
Manchester United are set to sign Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, according to reports in his home country.
United are in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper with David de Gea's future uncertain.
De Gea, 32, officially left United at the end of June when his contract expired but could yet return to the club.
That depends on whether United are able to bring in another senior goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
Advert
The Premier League club are in talks to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan and on Wednesday submitted a bid worth €45m (£38.5m) for the Cameroon international.
Sky Sports claim there is 'a gap in valuation' with Inter believed to want closer to €60m (£51.4m). However, there is a feeling a compromise can be struck.
United's hunt for a new goalkeeper took an unexpected turn on Thursday with reports in Japan claiming the club has submitted a bid in region of £5m for Urawa Red Diamonds shot-stopper Suzuki.
Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex claim negotiations between United and Urawa are 'progressing smoothly' with an agreement said to be 'imminent'.
According to the report, United have scouted Japan international Suzuki for 'a long time'.
If sold for £5m, Suzuki would become the most expensive player to be sold to a foreign club from Japan's J League - breaking the previous record of around £4.5m, which saw Kyogo Furuhashi move from Vissel Kobe to Celtic in 2021.
Who is Suzuki?
Suzuki was born in Arkansas, United States in 2002 before later moving to Japan.
In 2018, he was handed a professional deal at Urawa at the age of just 16.
Suzuki has represented Japan at every youth level and made his senior debut for his country last year in an East Asian Football Championship win over Hong Kong.
This season, he has been limited to just five starts in cup competitions with Shusaku Nishikawa the club's first choice option in goal.
In total, Suzuki has made eight league appearances for his club.
Given his lack of experience, Suzuki is likely to play reserve football if he joins United and also provide back-up to the club's first-choice goalkeeper, whether that is Onana, De Gea or another new arrival.