Zion Suzuki has a mission to get to the Premier League as an active Japanese goalkeeper.

It almost happened after getting courted by Manchester United, but the dream collapsed at the last moment as he had to recalibrate to focus on his development first.

The 20-year-old Japanese American said the Red Devils signing Andre Onana was the deal breaker for him, so the Premier League dream has to wait.

"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," he said as quoted by GOAL Japan.

"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."

Suzuki will move on to STVV, who finished last in Belgian's top-flight league. He said his current club may not be as huge as Manchester United, but what he is after is regular appearances in games.

Who is Suzuki; how did the Red Devils get linked to him?

Manchester United reportedly has been targeting Suzuki since 2017.

Suzuki made only eight appearances for Urawa Reds, joining the first team in 2021.

However, Urawa Reds' manager Maciej Skorza seems high on the player's development, claiming he has "a lot of future potential."