A chief summer target on the part of Premier League giants Manchester United has, on Thursday, provided an insight into his decision to turn down a summer move to Old Trafford.
The player in question? Zion Suzuki.
Those of a United persuasion, of course, will at this point be well accustomed to the name of Suzuki.
This comes after the shot-stopper was widely tipped to take his talents to the red half of Manchester across the summer.
Amid efforts to completely rejuvenate the club’s ranks between the posts, Erik ten Hag and co. identified Suzuki, a Japanese international, as the ideal backup for Andre Onana.
In the end, however, despite the Red Devils having gone as far as to table an offer for his services, the 21-year-old opted to take his talents to Belgium, with Sint-Truiden.
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And, as alluded to above, on Thursday, Suzuki himself has opened up on his somewhat surprising decision.
Speaking to Belgian outlet Voetbalbelgië, the goalkeeper revealed this his call to reject United came owing to a desire for immediate first-team football.
He also reiterated, though, that securing a move to England down the line remains a ‘dream’:
“My dream is to play in the Premier League,” Suzuki began. “It is true that I have received an offer from Manchester United, but United have acquired Onana this season, so I want to play at a level where I can play.
“Even if I can’t go there [Premier League] now, I definitely want to go there in a few years. To progress step by step, I decided to move to Belgium.”
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