Aston Villa near agreement for free transfer of Leon Goretzka

Aston Villa are close to signing free agent Leon Goretzka, who left Bayern Munich in the summer after eight years.

Because Goretzka is a free agent, the club does not need to negotiate a transfer fee with a selling side; instead the focus shifts to personal terms, agent fees and any signing-on bonus. Negotiations typically cover salary, contract length and performance-related clauses, all of which must fit within the club’s wage budget and the Premier League’s overall salary cap. The agreement is understood to be in advanced stages, but final signatures are required before the registration deadline.

The Premier League operates a defined transfer window that closes at the end of August, and any player signed after that date must wait until the next window unless a special exemption applies. Free agents can be registered at any time provided they meet the squad registration rules, which limit the number of senior players and impose homegrown quotas. Additionally, the club must ensure the deal complies with UEFA’s financial fair play regulations, meaning the new contract must not cause the club to exceed its allowable loss limits over the monitoring period.

If the contract is completed, Villa would add a midfielder with extensive experience in a top European league, potentially providing depth and tactical flexibility. The final terms, including length and remuneration, remain confidential pending official confirmation.