Leeds United could make most important signing of the summer by landing £26m-rated World Cup star
Leeds United have been linked with a bid for a World Cup star who could become their new number one - but is he ready for the Premier League?
Leeds’ summer transfer window is off to something of a flier. They’ve already beaten off competition to agree a deal to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer from Fulham and appear to be making progress in negotiations over a similar move for Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt. But those budget-friendly deals are perhaps not quite as important as finding a new goalkeeper.
With Lucas Perri proving to be a disappointment after he was snapped up from Lyon last summer and the experienced Karl Darlow’s future still uncertain, Leeds are heading into the summer without a clear-cut number one. That could be about to change, however, as new reports suggest that the Whites may have settled on a World Cup star as their primary target: Japan’s Zion Suzuki. But will they win the race, and will he finally be the long-term starter they’ve been chasing for so long?
Leeds preparing bid for Zion Suzuki – reports
Leeds have been linked with a bid for the 23-year-old Suzuki on a number of occasions over the past few months, but now Italian outlets Tuttosport and Tuttomercatoweb both allege that Leeds are preparing to make a formal offer after initial discussions – with Leeds seemingly preferring Suzuki over the likes of James Trafford and Nick Pope, who were also reported to be among the options.
Suzuki’s current club, Parma, are in a strong negotiating position. The Japan international is under contract until 2029 and they are protected by a minimum fee release clause worth €40m (£35m), although press reports suggest that he may be available for less than that.
Parma supposedly value Suzuki at €30m (£26m), which doesn’t appear to be too much to dissuade Leeds from making a bid – they have reportedly already drawn up a five-year contract offer for the American-born goalkeeper.
The reports tie in with claims from a number of sources which suggest that Suzuki has emerged as a key target for Leeds, but they aren’t the only club keeping tabs on him: Aston Villa are also known to be keen, not least because Juventus are believed to be interested in striking a deal for Emiliano Martínez. Manchester United have also been credited with interest in the past, although there are no indications that they plan to make a move this summer.
It’s not clear whether Suzuki’s participation at the World Cup – Japan are due to face Brazil in the round of 32 on Monday evening – will slow down negotiations or not, but it’s suggested that an initial offer could be made shortly. It’s not yet known whether other sides will join the race or whether Leeds will be the only team to make an offer.
As it stands, however, Suzuki seems to be the frontrunner to replace Perri in goal for Daniel Farke’s side – and may just be the answer to a question that Leeds have been asking ever since it became clear that Illan Meslier wasn’t going to be the long-term solution to what’s become something of a problem position at Elland Road.
How good is Zion Suzuki – and will he be a hit if Leeds sign him this summer?
Suzuki has plenty of the qualities that a Premier League side will be looking for in a goalkeeper – but while he has some notable strengths, he does still have some areas of his game which require work. The 23-year-old is not yet the complete package as a goalkeeper.
He’s a fine shot-stopper who put up an impressive 70% save percentage in Serie A over the past season, and is blessed which exceptionally sharp reflexes – while his strength and powerful jumping make him dominant in the air. At 6’3” he isn’t remarkably tall for a goalkeeper, but he is more than able to get up above a crowded area to deal with crosses and high balls into the box.
He’s also very comfortable and decisive coming off his line to deal with through balls, although that can also be a weakness – he can rush out too easily and his decision-making in such decisions is questionable, occasionally leading to goals when he gets caught out of position. His positioning against long-range shots has also been called into question at times, and he needs to be a little sharper when the ball is outside the penalty area.
He’s comfortable with the ball at his feet, at least, and his passing is sound even if his long-range distribution is another area in which he could improve. He’s a fine shot-stopper with the qualities required to operate as a sweeper-keeper behind a high defensive line, but does have a few rough edges to sand off.
Still, the fundamentals are there for him to become a top-class goalkeeper with the right coaching, and there is no doubt about his ability to make the kind of saves that only the best can pull off with regularity. The downsides in his game, however, mean that he has conceded slightly more goals than the xG model suggests he should have in both of his seasons with Parma.
Signing Suzuki would be an investment in the future in part, but he has enough quality to become an immediate starter even if he has some work to do in order to become one of the best goalkeepers in a top-tier league. The potential is there, however, and his performances at the World Cup provide plenty of reasons for Leeds fans to be excited about the prospect of signing him. All that remains is to find out whether Leeds do indeed make their expected bid, and whether they get a deal over the line over the coming weeks.