West Ham have reportedly made contact with Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki over a move to East London.
The Parma goalkeeper has previously been a target of Manchester United, who have been looking at replacing the error-prone Andre Onana for some time.
According to Graeme Bailey, Parma are expected to demand a fee in the region of £30–£40 million, more than six times the £6.5 million they originally paid to bring Suzuki to Italy
The Japanese shot-stopper played 37 games in the league for Parma last season, keeping eight clean sheets in a season in which I Crociati were in a relegation battle for most of the season, but did avoid the drop partly thanks to Suzuki’s goalkeeping heroics.
If a deal for Suzuki can’t be ironed out by the Hammers, with Manchester United returning for the target they have previously missed out on, Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen could also be an option.
The Dane has been linked with West Ham recently for a similar fee to Suzuki of around £35 million. Graham Potter may also be more keen on Hermansen, given his previous experience in the Premier League.
Either way, Potter must bring in a new keeper with 40-year-old Lukasz Fabianski departing the club and question marks continuing over Alphonse Areola’s ability to remain as the Hammer’s number one.
Why do West Ham and Manchester United want Zion Suzuki?
The 22-year-old Japan international has been considered one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in world football since his time with Urawa Red Diamonds between 2021 and 2024 when he won the Asian Champions League.
It was during this period in 2023 that Manchester United first approached Suzuki with the prospect of joining English football, although he chose a loan move to Belgian side Sint–Truiden with the prospect of regular first-team football being more attractive.
Last summer, he moved to Parma, where he emerged as their first-choice keeper and made crucial saves, including in a win over AC Milan.
One of the things that makes him so sought-after is his modern goalkeeping. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet, an attribute many managers are desperate for when looking for a new man between the sticks.
Whether it’s Manchester United or West Ham United, expect a big move for Zion Suzuki soon, especially if he performs well as Japan’s number one at next summer’s World Cup.