Leeds United and Daniel Farke deserve huge credit for being able to strike a deal to bring Harry Wilson to Elland Road on a free transfer this summer.
The Wales international’s contract with Fulham expired earlier this month and he has agreed terms on a five-year contract to move to West Yorkshire.
Fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Aston Villa were in talks with the former Liverpool winger before Los Blancos reached an agreement with him.
The 29-year-old attacker has plenty of experience in the top flight, having played for Liverpool, Bournemouth and Fulham, and should make an immediate impact on the pitch for Leeds.
The signing of the forward was also a coup as he returns from a season in which he scored 10 goals and provided seven assists on the right wing in the league.
Leeds United lead the race to sign Serie A star
However, the only concern with Wilson is that 2025/26 will be the first season in the Premier League in which he has recorded double-digit goals or assists. That means it remains to be seen whether his condition was temporary.
Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire side are pursuing a star signing who would arrive at Elland Road in an even bigger coup than the former Fulham player.
Leeds United are interested in signing Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in the summer transfer window, according to MOT Leeds News.
The paper claims Los Blancos are leading the race to sign the Japan international, who is rumored to be linked with Manchester United and Aston Villa this summer.
The player is keen to move on, adding that he is “very happy” to sign for Farke’s side, suggesting personal terms are not too much of an issue.
However, MOT Leeds News has revealed that signing Parma could cost more than £25m, and it remains to be seen whether the 49ers are prepared to pay that much for the shot-stopper.
How Zion Suzuki could be a bigger coup for Leeds than Harry Wilson
If Los Blancos can sign Suzuki from Parma in the coming weeks, they could secure an even bigger coup than the deal that brought Wilson on a free transfer from Fulham.
As mentioned above, it remains to be seen whether the Welshman’s form carries over into next season, but as he turns 30 next March, he may not be a long-term addition for the club.
Suzuki, meanwhile, will arrive at Elland Road this summer as a player who only turns 24 next month and has a large chunk of his career left in him, with time to grow and improve.
25/26 Serie A | Suzuki around 90 | Ranking vs GK |
|---|---|---|
keep | 3.30 | Top 22% |
Penalty save success rate | 33% | Top 19% |
Acts as a sweeper | 0.60 | Top 29% |
high bill | 1.45 | Top 12% |
Save success rate | 70.2% | Top 43% |
accurate long pass | 8 | Top 15% |
Last season in Serie A, the 23-year-old star attracted attention for his performances between the sticks as both a shot-stopper and an all-round goalkeeper who commands inside the area.
The fact that Karl Darlow ranks in the bottom 48% of Premier League keepers with an average of 0.77 points per 90, while he ranks in the top 12% of goalkeepers in the league with high goalkeepers per 90, is particularly eye-catching.
Suzuki could therefore be a more dominant presence in goal than the current number one, taking pressure off the defense in Leeds’ goal by getting off his line and aiming for crosses.
He would also emerge as a bigger coup than Wilson. That’s because he had a great performance against Japan at the World Cup, saving 71% of his opponents’ shots in the four games they played before losing to Brazil in the Round of 32.
Suzuki demonstrated his qualities on the world stage in front of millions of fans and scouts watching. That’s why signing Suzuki after his performance in Japan would be a huge coup for Leeds.
Los Blancos could therefore take their summer transfer window to the next level by signing Wilson on a free transfer and then signing a deal with Parma for the Japan international.
He could explode like Raphinha: Leeds submit bid to sign ‘future £60m’ star
Leeds are hoping to fulfill Daniel Farke’s ambitions in the summer transfer window.
