Zion Suzuki might just be this summer’s Leeds United link that refuses to go away, despite it being quite clear there’s not any of the progress being suggested by certain outlets.
Every summer and January, there are players out there that are linked with moves to Leeds United. Some of them of course have some truth to them.
Meanwhile, there are lots and lots more that are linked without much progress actually taking place. That appears to be the case for Zion Suzuki.
Leeds United claimed to be making all sorts of progress on Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
A goalkeeper is on the agenda this summer. Karl Darlow, at the time of writing, hasn’t confirmed a decision either way after officially becoming a free agent.
So, Leeds’ decision likely hinges on whether the Wales international wants a new challenge. That being said, the club have to draw up a succession plan with various goalkeepers across Europe forming a shortlist.
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Included in that is Parma and Japan star Suzuki. While we know there’s interest, reported reliably by local sources Graham Smyth and Zinny Boswell, how far it goes is becoming an incredibly muddled mess.
Less reliable, though, are reports from Italy. There’s been consistent claims from various well-followed outlets saying that United are progressing. Not only is Suzuki said to be Leeds’ top priority, but there’s talk of contract offers being tabled.
The obvious truth behind Zion Suzuki reports as Leeds United plan new goalkeeper signing
Of course, if Smyth and Boswell are reporting of Leeds’ interest, it’s clear that Suzuki is someone that United like.
But, it’s also stressed that he’s not a player Leeds are actively pursuing for the time being. So, any reports stating that he’s a top priority, or that we’re putting down a big-money contract offer – which was claimed this morning – doesn’t add up.
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There’s no way that Leeds’ position on Suzuki not being a priority has shifted to the point where we’re offering him a lucrative wage increase to move to Elland Road.
What is much more likely the case, in my opinion, is Suzuki’s eagerness to secure a move somewhere. That eagerness extends to an agent who gets a hefty payout from the Japan stopper moving on from Parma.
Zion Suzuki’s exit from Parma explained as Leeds United’s position seems unchanged
Notice how Leeds quickly distanced ourselves from progressing in signing Suzuki, or even making any approach whatsoever.
The same happened in the Serie A last summer.
Leeds were constantly linked with signing then-Lecce striker Nikola Krstovic, but he was never even a target of ours, so you can deduce that any links are either the selling club trying to drum up interest, or the player’s entourage doing likewise. He eventually joined Atalanta.
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This isn’t to say Suzuki won’t join Leeds. But, a lot of these reports are getting way ahead of themselves.
Follow the money: who does it benefit for Suzuki being talked about for a transfer every day? It does not benefit Leeds, who want to go about business quietly under the 49ers. But, it does benefit Parma getting the most money possible, and Suzuki’s agent maximising his payday too. Hence why all of these claims stem from Italy primarily.
Again, I’d take Suzuki in a heartbeat at the right price. All this noise, though, suggests the ‘right price’ might be difficult to negotiate.
It also suggests that Suzuki leaving Parma is not a transfer being orchestrated on Leeds’ terms. Instead, it’s quite the opposite. And since he’s not a priority, it makes little sense for the Whites to be doing anything behind the scenes that warrants all these reports.
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