Leeds in talks to sign “exciting” World Cup star

Leeds United have already turned to the domestic market this summer to bring in a proven Premier League forward, as they close in on the signing of Harry Wilson.

The Welsh winger is set to join on a free transfer, although the club are yet to confirm the deal, when his contract at Fulham expires at the end of this month.

Wilson scored ten goals and provided seven assists as a right winger in the Premier League for the Cottagers in the 2025/26 campaign, and should be expected to hit the ground running next term.

They are also exploring signings from further afield, though, as it was recently reported that they are in ongoing talks with Julian Brandt about a move to Elland Road.

The Germany international’s contract with Borussia Dortmund is due to expire this week and he could follow Wilson in being a free agent signing for Daniel Farke‘s side.

Leeds United are in talks to sign Serie A star

One thing that Wilson and Brandt have in common is that they will both be in their 30s by the end of next season, and may be more short-term than long-term signings for the club.

They need to mix up their recruitment with younger players to create a balance in the squad, and that is why one of their other reported targets could be an even better addition than Brandt.

According to Italian journalist Luca Cerchione, Leeds United are interested in a deal to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the two clubs are in ongoing negotiations over a move to bring the Japan international to Elland Road for the 2026/27 campaign and beyond.

Cerchione, however, does not reveal how much money it will take to convince Parma to part ways with the World Cup star, or how much the Whites are willing to pay for him.

They may have to move fast if they want to get a deal over the line, because it was reported earlier this month that Premier League rivals Manchester United and Aston Villa are also eyeing up the shot-stopper.

Why Zion Suzuki would be a better Leeds signing than Julian Brandt

There is no doubt that Brandt could make a short-term impact at Leeds if they sign him on a free transfer, because he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in all competitions for Dortmund last season.

However, the Whites would be running the risk of signing him as he potentially enters the latter stages of his career, which could see him decline whilst he is at Elland Road.

Suzuki, who was described as “exciting” by scout Ben Mattinson, is seven years younger than the German star and would not join the club with similar concerns, as he is a young player with so many years left ahead of him to develop and improve.

The Japan international has caught the eye at the World Cup this summer with a 73% save success rate across three games, preventing 0.33 more goals than expected with his saves.

He will be up against Brazil on Monday night in the last 32 of the tournament and that will be a big opportunity to show what he can do against some of the best forwards in world football.

The 23-year-old talent has not only excelled on the world stage for his country, though, as he also kept five clean sheets in 20 matches in the Serie A for Parma in the 2025/26 campaign.

Suzuki has only made one error that directly led to a goal in 57 matches in the Serie A in his career, showing that he is a usually reliable pair of hands between the sticks.

The Japan international has proven himself in one of Europe’s major leagues and on the international stage at the World Cup, which is why he would be a terrific long-term replacement for 35-year-old Karl Darlow.

Suzuki has the potential to be the number one at Leeds for the next decade, given that he is 12 years younger than Darlow, whilst Brandt may only be a short-term addition in terms of the impact that he could have on the pitch.

Therefore, signing the Japanese goalkeeper would be an even better piece of business than landing the Germany international, despite the hype possibly favouring the latter.