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Zion Suzuki is once again being linked with Manchester United following Onana’s struggles. After missing out in 2023, will the ‘Japanese Buffon’ finally get his Old Trafford move?
Zion Suzuki has been here before. The highly-rated Japanese goalkeeper was reportedly close to joining Manchester United in 2023, but the move never materialised. Now, amid Andre Onana’s shaky form, Suzuki’s name is once again being linked with the Premier League giants.
Back in 2023, Suzuki was still playing for Urawa Red Diamonds. United’s interest, said to have emerged during the Club World Cup, prompted him to turn down a major tournament appearance, believing a transfer to Old Trafford was imminent. But the call never came.
Instead, Suzuki joined Sint-Truiden in Belgium, where he quickly proved his value. Just a year later, Parma swooped in, paying around €10 million for the 22-year-old—who is now under contract with a reported €40 million buyout clause.
Born in New Jersey to a Japanese mother and Nigerian father, Suzuki made his international debut for Japan in 2022 and already has 18 caps to his name. His commanding presence and reflexes have earned him comparisons to Gianluigi Buffon—hence the nickname “Japanese Buffon”.
As United continue to evaluate goalkeeping options amid Onana’s inconsistent form, Suzuki is once again in the conversation. But they’re not the only ones watching. Chelsea are also said to be interested, despite having a packed goalkeeping department, with concerns lingering over consistency and long-term solutions.
This time, Suzuki is more experienced, more proven, and more expensive. Whether Manchester United finally makes a concrete offer remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Zion Suzuki won’t be short on suitors this summer.