Jason Wilcox will play an influential role in Man Utd transfers following Dan Ashworth’s departure (Image: Getty)
transfer chief Jason Wilcox is reportedly weighing up whether to go back in for goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The United States-born stopper, who represents Japan at international level, left Urawa Red Diamonds in the summer to join Italian side Parma. And he has made quite the impression, with a cluster of top clubs believed to be tracking his progress.
United nearly got their hands on Suzuki in the summer of 2023, when reports in Japan indicated that a had been agreed between the clubs. But the 22-year-old sensationally rejected the move and spent the season on loan at Belgian side Sint-Truiden in order to prioritise getting first-team minutes.
That decision appears to have paid dividends, with Parma shelling out to sign him last summer. Suzuki has played in all bar one of their Serie A games this season, and interested clubs are becoming more and more convinced about his quality.
Unfortunately for United, Suzuki’s progress is reflected in his new asking price. According to Parma rate their young stopper at £40m, which is a staggering 700-per-cent increase on the modest fee the Red Devils agreed with Urawa Red Diamonds only a year and a half ago.
And United are not in a good position to play hardball. considered Suzuki before signing Filip Jorgensen in the last transfer window, and they are still believed to be attentive to his situation.
Zion Suzuki has been superb since signing for Parma in an £8.5m deal (Image: Getty)
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They will not be the only ones, with 6ft 3in Suzuki shining in a top European league and establishing himself as Japan’s No.1. His suitors may also appreciate the maturity he showed in snubbing a lucrative move to Old Trafford in order to maximise his development.
United boss counts Andre Onana as his first-choice keeper and Altay Bayindir as back-up. But there is thought to be scope to challenge that pecking order, with both players prone to mistakes.
Reflecting on his Red Devils near-miss in 2023, Suzuki said: “It’s true that there was an offer from . As a football player and as a person, if I hadn’t thought about anything, of course, I would like to go to , but among them, I really want to spend time thinking about what kind of future awaits me.
” have acquired Onana. It’s important for me to participate in matches, and I think it is also important to play on the world stage. There are no Japanese goalkeepers in the , so I want to be one of the first players to do so. I want to keep moving forward step by step.”