Leeds United persist with Zion Suzuki pursuit as Michele Di Gregorio emerges as backup plan

Leeds United FC

Parma

Leeds United are not giving up on signing Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, despite the Japan international’s preference for a club in European competitio...

90min.footballAI-assisted reporting

16 July 2026, 19:10 UTC2 min read

In short

Leeds United are not giving up on signing Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, despite the Japan international’s preference for a club in European competition. The 24-year-old, who impressed at the 2026 World Cup, has also attracted interest from Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain. Villa could move if Emiliano Martinez leaves, while PSG remain attentive. With Illan Meslier heading to Arsenal, Leeds need a new No 1 and have identified Juventus’ Michele Di Gregorio as a fallback option. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds are still working to convince Suzuki, but the Serie A goalkeeper’s ambition may force them to turn to Di Gregorio.

Leeds United are refusing to back down in their pursuit of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, despite the Japan international having already rebuffed their initial approach. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Premier League side are continuing to work on convincing the 24‑year‑old, whose reputation has soared after a fine 2026 World Cup.

The sticking point is not Leeds themselves but Suzuki’s desire to play European football next season. That preference has alerted other suitors: Aston Villa are monitoring the situation and could make a move if Emiliano Martínez departs, with the Argentine attracting interest from Juventus this window. Paris Saint‑Germain are also keeping tabs on the shot‑stopper.

Leeds are in the market for a new No 1 because Illan Meslier is set for a move to Arsenal, and the Yorkshire outfit are determined not to rely on a single target. That is where Michele Di Gregorio comes in. The Juventus keeper, a steady presence in Serie A, has been identified as Leeds’ principal alternative should their pursuit of Suzuki fail.

For now, the club are pressing on with their efforts to change Suzuki’s mind, but his ambition for continental competition means Di Gregorio remains a live option in case the Parma man cannot be swayed.