Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are expected to ramp up efforts to sign 20-year-old Urawa Reds shot-stopper Zion Suzuki.
According to Dharmesh Sheth via GIVEMESPORT, Manchester United are keen on adding another goalkeeper to the mix despite having signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan. The Red Devils have been interested in the services of Zion Suzuki for a while now and are ready to intensify their efforts to land the 20-year-old at the club.
Manchester United’s initial plan was to renew the contract of David de Gea and add another world-class goalkeeper to the squad who could challenge the Spanish international for a spot in the starting XI. But, a lot has changed in the ongoing transfer window.
They failed to agree on a new deal with the Spanish international, and he ended up leaving the club after his contract ran out. Post that, Manchester United went all out and acquired the services of Onana from Inter for a fee of £47.2 million. The former Ajax star has penned down a five-year contract with the Red Devils.
While the number one spot is sorted, Erik ten Hag’s team are still planning to sign another shot-stopper. And, they have their eyes set on 20-year-old J League sensation Suzuki. The Japanese youth international has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and he is a huge prospect for the future. As a result, Ten Hag is keen on having him in his ranks.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper’s contract with the J League club runs until the winter of 2024. As a result, they are ready to negotiate his departure. And according to reports in Japan he is valued at around £5 million.
Sheth on Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation: “Of course, Andre Onana will be the number one, he’s been the one that Erik ten Hag has chased the whole summer and potentially Zion Suzuki as well. So, I’d expect that to probably accelerate a little bit more once there’s a degree of certainty on Dean Henderson’s future.”
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking at him as a backup option who could eventually go on to become their number one. With Dean Henderson’s future uncertain, Manchester United might be left with Tom Heaton as the only backup option. And, they are keen on having Suzuki in their ranks to provide Ten Hag will sufficient depth to be competitive in all competitions.
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While Manchester United are keen on having the 20-year-old in their ranks, they will only push for his signatures when there is clarity about Henderson’s future. If the 26-year-old leaves, the Red Devils will push hard to acquire the J League sensation.
