Manchester United have reportedly entered the race for highly-rated young Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Just two years ago, the Red Devils were believed to be in talks over signing the American-born Japan international, but talks fell through after Suzuki expressed his desire to play first-team football.
Instead, Suzuki moved from Urawa Red Diamonds to Sint-Truiden on loan, and enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Belgian Pro League last season.
That led to Parma taking a punt on the young Japanese stopper, acquiring his services from Sint-Truiden for €7.5m (£6.3m), immediately after the Belgian club triggered a loan-to-buy obligation for a fraction of the price.
Suzuki has since made the number one spot his own at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, hoping to emulate the sort of career that former Parma great Gianluigi Buffon enjoyed.
The 22-year-old has started in all but one of Parma's Serie A matches this season, missing the defeat to Udinese through suspension.
© Imago
Are Man United in the market for a goalkeeper?
talkSPORT claim that Man United are prepared to go back into the market for Suzuki, but could be faced with a price tag of around £40m.
That will most likely be put in place to deter clubs from circling around the player, with the report stating Parma want Suzuki to stay at the club for another year at least.
However, a big-money offer could tempt the Italian club to let him leave, in similar fashion to how Buffon left for Juventus back in 2001 for a then-world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
The timing of the rumours is an intriguing revelation, considering it just days since backup stopper Altay Bayindir performed superbly in the FA Cup win over Arsenal, saving two penalties.
Andre Onana has been the number one since his move from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023, but these reports could suggest that new manager Ruben Amorim also wants to change the goalkeeper in his impending Old Trafford overhaul.
© Imago
Would a Premier League move appeal to Suzuki?
Along with the prestige that comes with representing such a big club in the world's most-watched league, Suzuki should also be able to settle in the country with little fuss.
Suzuki has lived a very nomadic life already, being born in the United States, before moving to Urawa with his family at a young age, and breaking through at his hometown club.
The Japanese international has since acclimatised to life in Europe smoothly too, spending a year in Belgium before his move to Italy, and if reports are to believed, another relocation could be on the cards.
However, having already rejected a move to Man United in the past, if Suzuki is not promised the number one spot at Old Trafford, he may have second thoughts again.
Suzuki is already Japan's undisputed number one goalkeeper, but if he was to stop playing regular football at club level, that could put his place in danger, just 18 months out from the World Cup in his country of birth.
Andrew Delaney
