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Man United 'close to signing Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
The Red Devils have been scouting the 20-year-old Urawa Red Diamonds stopper since 2017 and have now made their move, according to Japanese outlet Sponichi.
Posting this as I couldn't get a great translation of the original Sponichi article found here. It's worth noting that Sponichi are a sponsor of Urawa so may be privy to some inside information. But they are listed right towards the bottom of the list of sponsors on their website so it may also mean nothing!
Full article:
Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of completing the surprise signing of Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The Red Devils have been scouting the 20-year-old Urawa Red Diamonds stopper since 2017 and have now made their move, according to Japanese outlet Sponichi.
They report that United have made a formal offer of £5m for Suzuki, a fee that would make him the most expensive signing in the history of the J League.
The deal is now nearing completion and an announcement could be made imminently.
United's goalkeeper situation has been one of the major talking points of the window so far with David de Gea now officially a free agent.
Manchester United 'consider awarding Alejandro Garnacho their fabled No 7 shirt' as his meteoric rise continues, with the talented youngster in line to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo
Article to avoid giving Daily Mail clicks:
Manchester United are weighing up awarding talented teenage forward Alejandro Garnacho their fabled No 7 shirt, according to reports.
The winger, aged just 18, made his first-team debut against Chelsea in April last year and has since become an undisputed regular under Erik ten Hag.
Currently sporting the No 49, Garnacho scored three goals in the Premier League last season and enjoyed regular cameos from the bench in crucial fixtures.
However, the youngster may now be set for a promotion with United considering handing him the No 7 shirt - vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo after his acrimonious departure from the club late last year.
The Manchester Evening News claim that Garnacho - who signed a five-year contract in April to pledge his future to Old Trafford - could be bestowed the honour.
He would become the first teenage recipient of the shirt since Ronaldo in 2003.
Since Ronaldo's first departure for Real Madrid in 2009, though, the number has been adorned by several players who failed to make an impact at the club.
Michael Owen, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez all endured poor stints with United, while Edinson Cavani impressed during his relatively brief stay.
Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, struggled with the burden of the shirt.
The No 7 was then given back to Ronaldo upon his return. But after his second stint ended on a sour note, the number is once again available.
Garnacho scored the winning goal against Fulham and West Ham in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively last season and also demonstrated his importance to Ten Hag with decisive strikes in the wins over Leeds and Wolves.
He earned his first start for the club against FC Sheriff in the Europa League in October and scored his first senior goal against Real Sociedad just a week later.
The ace joined from Atletico Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2020 and quickly attracted attention in the United youth ranks. He was even named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for the 2021-22 campaign after a series of dazzling displays.
Ten Hag included Garnacho in his squad for the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia last year. Nevertheless, he did not feature after twice turning up late for team meetings, with Bruno Fernandes admitting 'he didn't have the best attitude'.
Garnacho did play in United's final friendly against Rayo Vallecano and impressed.
Argentina handed him a long-awaited international debut earlier this month, with Garnacho brought off the bench for the final 15 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Australia.