Aston Villa Make Approach for £85m Striker Samu Aghehowa

Aston Villa couldn`t refuse an offer of around £71 million for Jhon Duran in January. Although the forward scored 12 goals in 29 matches for the club, he started in only seven of them. It was unlikely that the Colombian could displace Ollie Watkins as Unai Emery`s main striker.

The sale made financial sense, but Watkins remained the only experienced central forward in the team before the summer transfer window. The Spanish coach needs to acquire one or two more players for this position, especially if he aims to lead the club to the Champions League again. Perhaps he is targeting a young talented player who has had a spectacular season?

Aston Villa Interested in Spanish Centre-Forward

Recently, the club has shown interest in many attacking players. Tyler Dibling, the Southampton winger, was linked with a big-money move to Villa. Jadon Sancho is another wide option that Emery is interested in. Both of these talents would strengthen the team`s wide options, but the manager desperately needs a player in a more central position.

According to Caught Offside, Villa is now trying to sign FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa. The Spaniard has spent just one season at the Portuguese giant club, but his performances have certainly attracted the attention of potential buyers. Porto doesn`t seem to be in a hurry to sell their valuable asset, who has a release clause of €100 million (£85 million) written into his current contract.

Why Aston Villa Should Sign Samu Aghehowa This Summer

Young, with an eye for goal and a desire to prove himself in the Premier League. Aghehowa could well be the club`s next Duran. Although Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio appeared in the final few months of the season, the team missed Duran`s goals and impact, especially during the last 30 minutes of matches.

Well, Aghehowa scored 25 goals in 42 matches for Porto last season, which is a more than impressive return, especially considering it was his debut season at the club. The forward, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “one of Europe`s most prolific players” last season, also averaged 2.7 shots per game in the league and had a goal conversion rate of 23% for Porto. Simply put, when he gets the ball in the box, the young player scores more often than not, just like Duran did. However, he would get more chances at Villa than the South American, despite Watkins` status as the main central forward.

Much will depend on the amount Porto demands for their star player, but if it is acceptable, then Emery must make this transfer a priority. If he manages to attract Aghehowa to the Premier League, he could shine at Villa next season and in the future.