Zavier Gozo has emerged as one of the most sought-after young players in MLS, with Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa, Monaco and Villarreal among several European clubs monitoring the Real Salt Lake winger ahead of a possible summer move.
The 18-year-old attacker, who has represented the United States up to U-23 level, is expected to command a fee close to Real Salt Lake’s club-record sale as interest builds across Spain, England and France.
Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Villarreal all see familiarity in Gozo’s profile, having previously integrated American players into their squads, while Aston Villa are also pushing hard as they continue to plan for sustained Premier League and European competition.
Real Salt Lake are prepared to demand a figure similar to the deal that sent Andres Gomez to Stade Rennais in 2024, a transfer worth $11 million that could rise to $13 million with add-ons. Sources indicate that valuation has already cooled interest from clubs such as Anderlecht, Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland, who tracked Gozo last autumn but were unable to match RSL’s asking price.
Gozo’s rise has been swift. After brief MLS cameos in 2023 and 2024, he became a regular starter during the 2025 season, featuring in 25 matches and starting 21 of them. He finished with four goals and three assists, ending the campaign as the club’s third-leading goal contributor behind Diego Luna and Diogo Goncalves.
That domestic breakthrough has been matched on the international stage. Gozo was a key starter for the United States at the U-20 World Cup, earning a place in the team’s XI in four of five matches. He registered a goal and an assist in a standout 3-0 win over France and added another assist in the tournament-opening 9-1 victory over New Caledonia.
The winger’s development under head coach Pablo Mastroeni has been shaped not only by attacking freedom but also by increased defensive responsibility. Gozo has shown a growing understanding of positioning and work rate, making him more complete and appealing to clubs that demand tactical discipline from wide players.
In matches for Real Salt Lake, Gozo has often been central to early attacking momentum, using direct dribbling and quick acceleration to stretch defenses. His willingness to track back has also helped RSL stay compact during transitions, a trait increasingly valued at the highest level.
There have been moments of rawness, including missed chances and inconsistent end product, but those flashes of individual quality, especially in one-on-one situations, continue to separate him from his peers. Comparisons to Thierry Henry from earlier in his development underline the belief in his long-term ceiling rather than a finished product.
As the season progresses, the pressure will grow. European scouts are expected to remain present, weighing each performance and measuring consistency against potential.
For now, Real Salt Lake plan to build around Gozo when their 2025 campaign begins on February 21 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, even as the expectation grows that his next step may come on a much bigger stage before the year is out.
