Crystal Palace ready to swoop for US star Zavier Gozo and stand firm on Wharton

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Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of the United States youth international Zavier Gozo as the new manager Pierre Sage attempts to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

Gozo, a 19-year-old who plays for Real Salt Lake in MLS and has represented the US at various youth levels up to Under 23, is expected to complete an £11m move to south London after he was left out of his side’s game on Tuesday night due to an “excused absence”. It is understood that Palace have tracked Gozo’s progress at Real Salt Lake – who are part-owned by David Blitzer, the American who is one of Palace’s co-owners – for some time and view him as a potential successor to Daniel Muñoz at right wing-back. Palace need cover after club legend Nathaniel Clyne’s departure at the end of his contract and selling Danny Imray to Wrexham for a fee that is thought to have been in the region of £5m last week.