Aston Villa line up first summer transfer already with Zavier Gozo deal on cards
Real Salt Lake starlet Zavier Gozo is being eyed up by Aston Villa ahead of the summer.
The winter transfer window has only just closed, and Unai Emery and Aston Villa are already getting their ducks in a row ahead of the summer.
Villa were able to enjoy a fruitful winter window, with four new signings arriving at Villa Park to bolster any slim Premier League title hopes.
However, forward planning is a vital aspect of any successful football club, and the Villans are doing exactly that.
Aston Villa face LaLiga competition for Zavier Gozo
Gozo was linked with a move to Aston Villa in the winter window, but no such move materialised.
The 18-year-old has established himself as one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) brightest young talents in 2025, making 31 appearances for Salt Lake in all competitions.
Already a USA Under-20s international, Gozo is being tipped for a very bright future ahead, and word of his exploits across the pond has now travelled across world football.
And, as per Tom Bogert, an MLS and USMNT insider for The Athletic, it’s been revealed that Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are both showing a strong interest in Gozo.
Bogert also claims that it’s these two clubs that are currently at the front of the queue to sign him in the summer, but there’s bound to be more competition arising for his signature before then.
Gozo is contracted with Salt Lake until December 2027, but the MLS side so have the options to trigger 12-month extensions for both 2028 and 2029, respectively.
Aston Villa are putting clear emphasis on youth recruitment
It’s one thing to emerge as a Premier League title contender; it’s another thing to remain as one.
Aston Villa are scraping around the top of the English football mountain this season, and if they want to stay there, then investing in the future is going to be essential.
Villa have clearly identified that, as 17-year-old Brian Madjo signed from Metz, whilst 19-year-old Alysson joined from Gremio this winter.
Gozo appears to be Villa’s next young hotshot in their sights, as Emery looks to put the building blocks in place for an upcoming era flooded with Villa Park stars of the future.
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