Who Should Parma Sign To Replace Zion Suzuki? Serie A Side Left Scrambling As Japanese Star Faces Lengthy Spell On Sidelines

Parma have been dealt a major injury blow as Zion Suzuki is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Carlos Cuesta will now be scrambling to find a replacement in January.

How Long Is Zion Suzuki Out For?

Zion Suzuki will miss around three to four months of action, as the Parma keeper underwent surgery due to a fracture in his scaphoid and third finger of the left hand.

It is reported that the 23-year-old suffered this injury during Parma’s 2-2 draw with AC Milan in Serie A on November 8th, as the Japan international required treatment in the 83rd minute.

The young shot-stopper had his operation at the Institute for Integrated Sports Medicine and Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo and will begin his rehab immediately.

Losing Suzuki will be a big problem for Carlos Cuesta, as the Japanese shot-stopper has been one of Serie A’s best players this season – attracting interest from Europe’s elite sides.

Suzuki sits seventh in the rankings for shots saved per 90, while also conceding just 14 goals in 12 matches which is a strong record given Parma’s poor performances this season.

Carlos Cuesta’s side sit 17th in the table, one spot above the relegation zone and will be hugely concerned about facing the drop after Suzuki’s injury.

Parma will be looking to find a replacement for Suzuki in the January transfer window, following a similar trend to AC Milan as the Rossoneri have targeted three goalies to replace Mike Maignan.

Unfortunately for Cuesta, he does not have the same financial backing as Allegri does in Milan – so we have looked into some more affordable options that could fill the gap left by Suzuki.

Who Should Parma Sign To Replace Zion Suzuki?

Stefan Ortega (Manchester City)

The German shot-stopper has taken a secondary role for the entirety of his Manchester City career, being utilized as a back-up option to Brazilian goalie, Ederson.

Ortega’s position in Manchester has taken a further turn in the 2025/26 campaign, with the Cityzens signing Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford during the summer.

These acquisitions have seen Ortega drop down to third-choice in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order and the 33-year-old is yet to make an appearance this season.

His deal in Manchester is set to expire in June 2026, meaning a loan move away in January could play a pivotal role in finding a permanent transfer ahead of next season – as City are unlikely to offer Ortega a new contract.

Parma will be looking for a ‘stop-gap’ option in January as Suzuki will immediately return to the starting eleven on his return from injury and Ortega could be the ideal option.

Rui Patricio (Free Agent)

Diving into the free agency market could be a shrewd move by Parma, as the club do not tend to make marquee signings and would be able to save funds on any fee with another club.

Rui Patricio is currently unemployed after parting ways with Al Ain in July 2025, agreeing to a short-term deal with the Saudi Arabian side to compete at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Portuguese star spent the 2024/25 campaign with Atalanta, making six appearances for La Dea and taking his overall tally in Serie A to 99 matches after a three-year spell with Roma between 2021-2024.

Boasting Serie A experience could be a huge selling-point for Parma on their hunt for a new goalkeeper and Patricio has shown that he will agree to short-term deals.

Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea)

Another option for Parma, who is a completely different contender than Patricio, is Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who is yet to make an appearance for the Blues this season.

Multiple players have struggled to find regular minutes at Stamford Bridge in 2025/26, with Raheem Sterling being excluded from first-team training and the Chelsea star is now desperate for a move away.

Slonina’s situation is slightly different, as the American is the third-choice keeper under Enzo Maresca and is unlikely to find any minutes over Robert Sanchez.

The 21-year-old spent last season out on loan to Barnsley, making 14 appearances for the League One side and is reportedly keen on another move away in January.

Renato Marin (PSG)

Our final contender is an Italian shot-stopper, Renato Marin, who joined PSG during the recent summer transfer window after coming through the ranks at Roma.

Marin has not made an appearance for the French side this season and is unlikely to feature heavily at 19-years-old, making a temporary exit seem likely.

The teenager did not make a single Serie A appearance during his time in Rome, but Marin did represent the Giallorossi at multiple youth levels.

Returning to Italy has been a reported interest from Marin as he looks to earn some valuable playing time and Parma will be able to pay a small fee due to Marin’s inexperience.