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20-year-old starlet snubs Manchester United for STVV transfer

Japanese starlet Zion Suzuki
Manchester United target Zion Suzuki joins Belgian club STVV (Image Credit- Getty Images)

Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki decides against joining Manchester United amid concerns about regular game time

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United’s hopes of signing Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki have been dashed as the young talent has chosen to join Belgian club STVV instead.

It is said that United had reached an agreement with the Urawa Red Diamond’s star, but the young goalkeeper opted for a move to Belgian Pro League side STVV instead.

The 20-year-old chose the rather unknown club because he is more likely to secure regular first-team football opportunities there.

J-league goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has snubbed a move to Manchester United (Image Credit- Getty Images)
J-league goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has snubbed a move to Manchester United (Image Credit- Getty Images)

It is said that due to the upcoming Paris Olympics next summer, the Japanese U21 star preferred to snub a move to the Theatre of Dreams in favour of more game time.

It has been stated that it would take another two years for Suzuki to feature more prominently for Erik ten Hag’s side, especially considering the fact that they recently signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan.

Sint-Truiden (STVV), which is owned by the Japanese company DMM.com, have officially announced the signing of the young Asian star.

Suzuki has played only eight J-League games for the Urawa Reds, along with a few more appearances in the J-League Cup and Asia Champions League.

Despite his limited exposure, he has already earned his first cap for the Japanese national team, featuring in a 6-0 victory over Hong Kong.

The United target has now officially signed a contract with STVV, a team that secured a sixth-place finish in the Jupiler Pro League during the previous season.

United’s goalkeeping situation is relatively straightforward, with Onana being brought in as the first-choice goalkeeper after his arrival from Inter Milan.

Manchester United have recently signed Andre Onana as their No.1 keeper (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United have recently signed Andre Onana as their No.1 keeper (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the club is also looking to add another player as a backup, especially with Dean Henderson’s potential departure to Nottingham Forest still under discussion.

Tom Heaton is expected to remain at the club and can serve as a reliable option to deputise for Onana if necessary. Nonetheless, the Red Devils aim to have another goalkeeper in their squad in case Henderson’s move goes through.

Man United have recently sold Nathan Bishop to Championship club Sunderland, while Matej Kovar’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.

The club has the option to retain the latter, send him out on loan, or potentially sell him to generate funds.

In the event of Kovar’s departure, United may seek an experienced backup goalkeeper or another young talent to provide cover in the squad.

Manchester United interested in signing Turkish shot-stopper Altay Bayindir (Image Credit- Getty Images)
Manchester United interested in signing Turkish shot-stopper Altay Bayindir (Image Credit- Getty Images)

There are other options on the market for Ten Hag’s side. They have been keeping tabs on Fenerbahçe shot-stopper Altay Bayindir and Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow.

However, there have been no concrete offers for either of the keepers in recent weeks. The situation will be more clear in the upcoming weeks, once the club gets a clear idea of their outgoings.

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Until then, it is expected that the club management will be locking down their targets in case an opportunity arises to rope in a new backup keeper.

Written by Roland Cutinho

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