Erik ten Hag forced into transfer U-turn as brutal snub throws plan into chaos

07 August 2023 , 11:28

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Erik ten Hag forced into transfer U-turn as brutal snub throws plan into chaos

Manchester United agreed a fee with Urawa Red Diamonds to sign Zion Suzuki – but the Japanese goalkeeper has rejected a move to Old Trafford.

United have held an interest in signing Japan international shot-stopper Suzuki all summer and agreed a fee with the J-Leaue club. However, the US-born goalkeeper is said to have held reservations over not being guaranteed regular first-team football.

The 20-year-old will instead join the Japanese-owned Belgian club STVV, where he will be first-choice goalkeeper. United had evaluated that Suzuki could be one of two backup goalkeepers to summer signing Andre Onana, but there was a belief that he was still several years away from having first-team status in the Premier League.

The breakdown in United’s move for Suzuki has thrown the club’s transfer plans into chaos. The Manchester Evening News report that they will now look to sign another goalkeeper, while Tom Heaton is also likely to stay at the club – despite transfer interest from Luton and Hull.

Jack Butland has already left to join Rangers and Nathan Bishop has an agreement to join Sunderland, while Heaton had been linked with a move. David de Gea – who had been the club’s No.1 for over 12 years – has also left United at the end of his contract.

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Boss Erik ten Hag’s demand is to have three goalkeepers in his senior squad, meaning that one more signing will be likely to supplement Onana and Heaton. Dean Henderson and Matej Kovar both remain at United but the former is likely to leave permanently and the latter on a loan deal.

Suzuki has rejected the chance to join Manchester United and will instead move to Belgium (Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

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Kovar, 23, impressed on a loan spell at Sparta Prague last season making 32 appearances having also enjoyed loan stints at Swindon and Burton Albion. He has also been capped up to Under-21 level by the Czech Republic.

In his final season as Ajax boss, Ten Hag stressed the importance of multiple senior goalkeeping options. "Last year, I had a situation with Ajax we had three goalies injured and you don't want to come to a situation that, when you come to the end of the season, you play for trophies and you have to put in a young keeper. You can't expect it from the young goalkeeper but you also kill your season. That's what you have to be prepared for."

Colin Millar