After weeks of links with Aaron Ramsdale, Djordje Petrovic and Mads Hermansen, the name Zion Suzuki suddenly emerged on Saturday morning regarding West Ham United’s pursuit of a new number one goalkeeper.
A new name to the Hammers faithful, perhaps, but not to supporters of Manchester United.
The Red Devils attempted to pluck Zion Suzuki from relative obscurity during the summer of 2023. The then-Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper would opt to leave his homeland of Japan for Belgian football instead, however.
A decision Suzuki later justified by pointing out that regular first-team football was be a lot easier to come by at Sint-Truiden.
One suspects he has relatively few regrets about that decision now, and not just because of Man United’s ongoing malaise.
Hammers News can confirm, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that West Ham United have now held talks with a glovesman who would arrive at the London Stadium having proven himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki celebrates after Atalanta BC v Parma Calcio 1913 - Serie A
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
West Ham United have held talks over Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
After impressing in Belgium, Suzuki joined Parma in the summer of 2024.
The New Jersey-born Japan international was outstanding during his debut season in Serie A. Mauro Pederzoli, Parma’s then-sporting director, believes the former UEFA Cup winners landed themselves a ‘world-class goalkeeper’ with ‘extraordinary technical’ quality.
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Understandably, then, Parma plan to make a considerable profit on their £6.5 million investment.
Graeme Bailey tells Hammers News that it would take a bid of over £30 million, if not £40 million, to even get the Parma bosses thinking. There is no release clause in his contract at the Stadio Ennio Tardini either.
Claims that discussions with West Ham have reached an advanced stage, meanwhile, are understood to be wide of the mark.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham are admirers of Zion Suzuki though. They have made contact with the 22-year-old’s representatives but nothing has gone beyond that at this point in time.
There are also real doubts about whether Suzuki would even consider joining a Hammers side who finished a lowly 14th in the Premier League table last season.
Graham Potter watches on during Brighton and Hove Albion FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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Japan star Suzuki fits Graham Potter’s idea of a goalkeeper
It is easy to understand why Graham Potter might want to work with Zion Suzuki at the London Stadium.
Like many of the other goalkeepers on the radar – Potter is a big fan of Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, for instance – Suzuki is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet.
The ‘extraordinary’ quality Pederzoli alluded to has been in evidence over in Italy. Only two goalkeepers attempted more passes than Suzuki in 2024/25.
Furthermore, a man who won the Asian Champions League with Urawa Red Diamonds three years ago has spoken openly about his admiration for Ederson; the long-serving Manchester City glovesman who helped revolutionise the role alongside the likes of Manuel Neuer.
But while Suzuki feels unlikely as things stand, Potter should have a real shot at another of the club’s goalkeeping targets.
Leicester City may be forced to cash in on the £35 million-rated Mads Hermansen. Hammers News understands that there is serious interest in the former Denmark Under-21 international.
Hermansen was outstanding as Leicester beat West Ham 3-1 in December – one of the final nails in Julen Lopetegui’s coffin – while reporter Gianluca di Marzio talked up a deal for the Leicester ace a few days ago.