MANCHESTER UNITED face fresh competition for the signature of long-term goalkeeper target Zion Suzuki, who may finally be ready to move to Old Trafford.
The Japanese goalie turned down the opportunity to join the Red Devils for £5million last summer because he wanted to enhance his Olympic Games chances.
GettyZion Suzuki has impressed since moving to European football[/caption]
Suzuki, 21, is now firmly established as Japan’s Olympic keeper ahead of next month’s tournament in France after a superb debut campaign in Europe with Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden.
And the 6ft 3in shot-stopper has been watched by Erik ten Hag’s scouts again this month during a pre-Olympic training camp in the United States.
But United are not the only club keen to sign Suzuki with reports in Japan claiming Genoa would like to take him to Serie A next season.
The Italian club qualified for the Champions League and Sponichi reckon they could tempt him with opportunities in the highest level of European club football.
However, United have been on his trail for much longer and view Suzuki’s sure-handed technique and accurate distribution skills as an ideal fit for the way they want to play out from the back.
The former Urawa Red Diamonds talent was named as the highest-rated keeper in Belgium with a performance index score of 94 by DataMB recently, scoring highly for aerial duels, line exits passes completed and goals prevented.
Sint-Truiden paid a £1m loan fee and are committed to forking out another £4m to make the deal permanent this summer, but that would not stop them selling him at an instant profit.
They will hope his reputation and price-tag grows further at next month’s Olympics when United and Genoa could find themselves joined by many more admirers.
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Ten Hag, 54, was given a reprieve by United’s Ineos chiefs following a two-week performance review.
The Dutchman will remain in charge at Old Trafford next season after the Red Devils were snubbed by Thomas Tuchel.
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The former Ajax boss’ record in the transfer market so far at United leaves a lot to be desired.
Despite Ineos sticking with him, Ten Hag is set to lose the power over transfers that he previously wielded.