Aston Villa transfer news: Former Bayern Munich star 'in negotiations' over Premier League move

Aston Villa have reportedly identified former Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka as a potential summer signing.

While the West Midlands outfit are currently preparing to face Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday's Premier League opener, Unai Emery still has one eye on the transfer market.

In Friday's press conference, the Spaniard acknowledged that Ollie Watkins could be the next star player to leave Villa Park, as well as admitting that Emiliano Martinez wanted a new challenge.

Emery has also suffered the disappointment of missing out on Joao Palhinha, who is in line to sign for Benfica after Bayern Munich refused to accept their terms for the signing of the Portugal international.

Nevertheless, as per Matteo Moretto, who was posting on X, Villa have switched their attention to another player with Bayern connections.

Aston Villa register surprise Goretzka interest

Moretto says that Villa have opened negotiations to sign Goretzka, who is available on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old has just ended an eight-year spell at the Allianz Arena, where he contributed 51 goals and 53 assists from 312 appearances in all competitions.

Despite dropping down the pecking order in 2025-26, Goretzka still featured on 48 occasions, albeit only making one start in the Champions League.

After making three appearances for Germany at the World Cup, he has been biding his time over his next move.

However, a move to the Premier League is seemingly on the cards for someone who has spent his entire career in his homeland, playing 495 times for Bochum, Schalke 04 and Bayern.

Aston Villa likely to push for Goretzka?

While Goretzka is not regarded as the midfield powerhouse that he once was, he still contributed five goals and four assists in last season's Bundesliga.

Vincent Kompany also handed him 25 starts in Germany's top flight, emphasising that he still has a role to play at the top level.

With the diminutive Joao Gomes a likely regular starter in the engine room, Villa ideally need someone with more physicality next to him.

Whether it is ahead of Boubacar Kamara or as a number 10 in front of Kamara and Gomes, Goretzka could offer attributes to the Villa engine room that they do not currently possess.

Providing that wages can be negotiated with the 73-cap Germany international, this should be a deal that Villa must get over the line.