Man Utd set for SHOCK goalkeeper signing

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jul 2023 13:02 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are closing on the signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki as a potential replacement for David de Gea, according to reports.

The Red Devils are in the market for a new No.1 with De Gea now out of contract.

Andre Onana is understood to be their top transfer target in the position, but United and his current employers Inter Milan remain about €20 million apart in terms of their valuation of the player.

READ: Inter Milan boss SLAMS Man Utd over Andre Onana deal

United will need to sell players in order to fund the Onana deal, with the lack of equity investment from the Glazer family over the last three years leaving their transfer budget at just £120m before they an initial £55m of that on Chelsea's Mason Mount.

Urawa Red Diamonds' Suzuki represents a significantly cheaper alternative.

"Manchester United have been scouting Urawa's Japan international goalkeeper Suzuki for a long time," report Japanese sports daily Sponichi. "They admire his physical ability and future potential.

"They are said to have made a serious effort to acquire him this summer, and have already made a formal offer of £5 million."

READ: Why Man Utd have FFP problems

A fee of £5m (around 917m Japanese Yen) would be the highest fee ever received by a Japanese club from an overseas buyer.

Who is Zion Suzuki?

Suzuki is a long-time Japan youth international who made his senior debut against Hong Kong in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship last July.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to a Ghanaian mother and Japanese father, he would have been eligible to represent any one of three national teams.

He has been on Urawa's books since the age of 11, progressing through their age group teams before making his debut in 2021.

He remains second choice to Shusaku Nishikawa for the time being, but United now look ready to give him the platform to show his talents at the highest level.