Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has confirmed that he has received offers from Chelsea and Manchester United in the past.
The American-born Japanese international has made spectacular progress in recent years. Suzuki is only 22 years old and is an AFC Champions League winner and has so far played 16 times for Samurai Blue.
The goalkeeper was the name on everyone’s lips in the summer of 2023 when he became the subject of surprising interest from Manchester United. At that time, the Red Devils were fighting for a goalkeeper who was able to play with the ball with his feet.
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Manchester United eventually signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan, but Suzuki was a name under consideration, albeit as more of an option for the future rather than an immediate start.
Instead of moving to Manchester, Suzuki left Urawa Reds for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, joining the club on loan before the deal was made permanent this winter. This summer, he was on the move again when Serie A club Parma paid 7.5 million euros to bring him to Italy.
Parma, of course, have a brilliant goalkeeping tradition as the club that produced the great Gianluigi Buffon, and while Suzuki isn’t quite at that level yet, he certainly has continued his steep career trajectory in Serie A.
The 22-year-old is a regular between the sticks and continues to impress with his performances. Now he has spoken to La Repubblica to explain why he didn’t move to England, and also reveals that Chelsea made him an offer.
“Is it true that I turned down offers from Chelsea and Manchester United? When I was in Japan, the Premier League wanted me, but in Belgium I wanted to play more. I am happy with my choice. Serie A is known all over the world for the quality of its goalkeepers”
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