Zion Suzuki has revealed that he rejected a move to Manchester United this summer due to the importance of playing regular football at this stage of his career.
The 20-year-old had allegedly been identified by Man United as the perfect addition to their goalkeeping department, with the stopper potentially being the club's number three for the 2023-24 campaign behind Andre Onana and Tom Heaton.
Dean Henderson is still at the club, but the England international is not in the plans of head coach Erik ten Hag and is widely expected to move on before the end of the transfer window.
Suzuki is still owned by Urawa Red Diamonds but has made the move to Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden, with the Japan international set to spend the 2023-24 campaign at the club.
The youngster has confirmed that there was an offer from Man United this summer, but he was desperate to play regular football at a key stage of his career.
"I decided to transfer this time as a step up in aiming to be the best in the world. It's true that there was an offer from Manchester United," GOAL quotes Suzuki as saying.
"As a football player and as a person, if I hadn't thought about anything, of course, I would like to go to Manchester United, but among them, I really want to spend time thinking about what kind of future awaits me. After much thought, I made this decision.
"Manchester United have acquired [Andre] Onana. It's important for me to participate in matches, and I think it is also important to play on the world stage. I want to make the most of what I have learned here and do my best.
"While many players are active overseas, it is difficult to become a 'keeper. I think we are going to have a really tough battle ahead of us in that kind of place.
"There are still no Japanese who are active as goalkeepers in the Premier League, so I want to be one of the first players to do so. I want to keep moving forward step by step."
Meanwhile, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Amiens have made an offer to loan Red Devils centre-back Teden Mengi for the coming season.
The 21-year-old has only made two first-team appearances for Man United and is unlikely to receive much action during the 2023-24 campaign if he stays at Old Trafford.
Romano claims that there are active discussions between all parties, with Amiens hopeful of being able to sign the central defender, who only has a contract at Old Trafford until next June.
