Manchester United have struggled in the transfer market of late (Image: Getty)
missed out on the opportunity to sign one of the “world’s greatest talents” for £5million and it could end up costing them eight times that price.
The Red Devils haven’t had much luck of late in the transfer window, with new signings having often struggled to make the desired impact.
Antony being the most notable, after he arrived as part of a whopping £86m deal at the start of the 2022/23 season, only to be shipped out on loan to Real Betis during the recent January transfer window.
Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and are among the other United signings who have disappointed upon their Old Trafford arrivals, but it’s a player who didn’t make the move that could end up costing them millions.
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Zion Suzuki had been touted as a potential United signing back in 2023 when he was still on the books of Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
The 20-time English champions were believed to have agreed a £5m with Suzuki, only for the player himself to reject the move.
Whether he was put off by the shortcomings of other United signings isn’t known, but eyebrows were raised when it was revealed Suzuki was instead heading to Belgian club Sint-Truiden on loan – a deal that later became a permanent one.
His first stint in European football proved successful, with Serie A outfit Parma taking the punt and signing him for £8.3m in 2024.
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Zion Suzuki came close to signing for Man United in the summer of 2023 (Image: Getty)
According to though, the shot-stopper is back on United’s radar, with a price tag of £40m having been mooted – a jump of £35m from the original price they’d negotiated with Urawa.
Premier League rivals have also been credited with interest in the 22-year-old but a move for Suzuki would likely depend on Andre Onana leaving, given the Japanese ace was seemingly put off joining United because he didn’t want to play second fiddle to the incoming Cameroon star.
Moving Onana on feels like a stretch given his relatively strong performances and the work United have to do elsewhere in the market. But it does likely mean United have missed out on signing a future superstar.
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He certainly had the backing of former coach Daniel Schmidt, who managed Suzuki at Sint-Truiden. Speaking during their time together, he said: “It’s unfortunate what’s happening to [Schmidt], but Zion is now our first goalkeeper.
“He is considered one of the greatest talents in the world in his position and we have to polish him.”
The United hierarchy will be hoping Suzuki doesn’t prove to be one that got away.