Leeds United have a few major decisions to make in the coming weeks as they seek to upgrade their squad over the summer transfer window.
They have already signed Harry Wilson on a free transfer, pending an official announcement, and are stepping up their efforts to bring in a replacement for Pascal Struijk.
Karl Darlow is also expected to sign a new two-year contract at Leeds to ease their goalkeeping worries ahead of pre-season. But they remain in the market for a goalkeeper.
Lucas Perri is expected to be sold this summer. However, Leeds’ pursuit of one of their top goalkeeping targets is now facing the threat of Aston Villa.
Aston Villa sound out Zion Suzuki
Leeds have been heavily linked with a move for the Japan goalkeeper following his World Cup heroics, and are expected to table a bid with Parma.
The Serie A club are open to selling him, and the Japanese goalkeeper will not turn down a move to the Premier League this summer.
Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest in the goalkeeper, and that pursuit has now been backed up by a trusted source.
According to The Athletic, Aston Villa have sounded out Suzuki as a potential option to replace Emiliano Martinez in their goal next season.
Villa would prefer to hold on to the World Cup winner, but there are suggestions the Argentinian could be looking to move on this summer.
The Midlands club are keeping their options open, and Suzuki has emerged as one of their concrete targets in the ongoing transfer window.
Leeds are also interested in him, but Villa could offer him Champions League football to convince the Japan star to move to the Midlands.
He was brilliant against Brazil
Brazil broke Japanese hearts in injury time when they scored a late winner to knock the Asian country out of the World Cup.
However, it was Zion Suzuki who kept Japan in the tie until injury time with a few brilliant saves that showed why he is going to be an in-demand goalkeeper this summer.
He pulled off a fine save to deny Matheus Cunha in the first-half, and regularly ventured out to clear the ball or catch high crosses and release some of the pressure on the defenders.
“This is quality in a nutshell!”🙌
An incredible save from Japan’s Zion Suzuki prevents Vinícius Júnior from reaching the back of the net for Brazil😮💨 pic.twitter.com/8a5JXcEoSC
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 29, 2026
However, the real moment of magic from Suzuki came in the second half when he produced an astonishing save to probably deny Vinicius Junior the goal of the tournament so far.
It is no surprise that Leeds have their eyes on him, but the competition for his signature is going to be fierce as Suzuki prepares to leave Parma.
