Graham Potter and Alphonse Areola
(Credit: Imago)
Rahul Lakhani
Sat 5 July 2025 17:10, UK
West Ham want to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window and appear to have selected their main target.
Mads Hermansen and Aaron Ramsdale were both linked with the Hammers, but a surprise option has now been selected, and it is arguably the most exciting target of them all.
West Ham lost Lukasz Fabianski, and with doubts emerging over Alphonse Areola, a new goalkeeper was one of several areas which needed addressing this summer.
A deal for Parma sensation Zion Suzuki now appears to be in the works, and he could end up becoming the long-term number one in East London.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter is close to signing another goalkeeper (Credit: Imago)
West Ham close in on Suzuki
Suzuki has been on the radar of a lot of clubs in the last few years and is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe as he closes in on a move to the London Stadium.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
The 22-year-old became Parma’s number one in Serie A last year, and the Japan international is growing in stature.
Stat Suzuki
Appearances 37
Goals conceded 53
Clean sheets 8
Suzuki’s stats for Parma
West Ham are reportedly closing in on a deal for Suzuki, with the Japan star preferred to other targets.
While a number of factors, such as age, potential and finances, will have been behind this decision, West Ham are also fulfilling a long-term desire by targeting Suzuki.
West Ham's Alphonse Areola.
Areola could be replaced by Suzuki (Credit: Imago)
West Ham target Asian market for financial boost
As reported by The West Ham Way (June 5), West Ham’s interest in Suzuki may also be motivated by a long-term desire to enter the Asian market.
The Hammers have seemingly been eager to sign more players from the Asian market, both for on-pitch and commercial reasons.
Players such as Son Heung-Min, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kyogo Furuhashi have impressed in European football, while also bringing in extra commercial revenue.
Signing young Japanese players such as Suzuki will raise West Ham’s profile in the region, and given the vast amount of talent coming from Asia, they could increase their own value and eventually move for huge profits.
West Ham, therefore, have a lot to gain by shopping in this market, and Suzuki may not be the only Japanese player targeted this summer.
Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.
Related Posts