Newcastle make Zion Suzuki contact as goalkeeper search continues

Newcastle United have already brought in one goalkeeper this summer, signing 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen at the start of the window.

The France Under-21 star has been told that he will be the backup to the first-choice keeper next season at St James' Park, but the question is, who will that be?

Nick Pope's time at Newcastle looks to be coming to an end with Ipswich Town weighing up a move for the former England star.

While Newcastle remains keen on James Trafford, after two previous attempts to sign the England stopper, they aren't counting their chickens and are making sure they have plenty of other options.

Newcastle want James Trafford but are keeping their options open

Brighton's Bart Verbruggen and Lens' Robin Risser have been mentioned many times, but now transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, as said on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel that Newcastle have made enquiries for Parma and Japan keeper Zion Suzuki.

Suzuki was one of the standout stars for Japan at the World Cup, making some top-drawer saves, and at 23 years old, the USA-born stopper fits the profile perfectly for Newcastle. 

Moretto claims Newcastle have made an enquiry to Parma over his situation, but the Italian side are in no rush to sell.

“Parma are in no hurry. Parma, incidentally, have – in inverted commas – ‘lost’ Fazzini, as he is set to join Cagliari. As far as Suzuki’s transfer is concerned, Parma are in no hurry; they’re waiting for the best offer. Whoever offers the most, the most convincing proposal, will be the one accepted.

"Then, of course, the player is ready to take this step forward in his career, but as things stand, in addition to the various clubs that have been talked about a lot, I’d add another Premier League club that has made an enquiry about Suzuki, and that is Newcastle. Newcastle have enquired about Suzuki’s situation. I’ll reiterate: there’s Newcastle, and there are many others – Leeds, and many more. In any case, Suzuki will choose the best project and Parma will choose the best offer from a financial point of view.”

Newcastle may need to be swift to sign Suzuki

We were very impressed with Suzuki at the World Cup, so this link does excite us, but given Parma's stance, it could be a difficult deal.

James Trafford is likely still the top priority for Newcastle, and there will be hope that it will be third time lucky for the Magpies when trying to bring him to St James' Park, but the Man City man is waiting until after the World Cup to decide his future.

Suzuki may have just jumped to our second choice. We couldn't pick between Verbruggen and Risser, but we don't see Brighton letting Verbruggen go without a fight. Risser may be an easier move to do, but now we'd rather we brought in Suzuki.

Rumour Rating: 6/10 - It's too early to get overly excited, but Zion Suzuki is such a good goalkeeper it's hard not to.