Aston Villa’s Unai Emery silences the noise.placeholder image
Aston Villa’s Unai Emery silences the noise. | AFP via Getty Images
Aston Villa’s dream striker could be available this summer - and it’s not Nicolas Jackson
Aston Villa need to make a statement this summer. After missing out on Champions League football by the skin of their teeth, Unai Emery’s side are faced by a difficult summer which could be worsened still if they are forced to sell key players.
The likes of Ollie Watkins or Emiliano Martínez may be sold by the Villains, who are reportedly in a bad state when it comes to PSR and must act fast if they are to avoid losing ground on their European rivals.
Regardless of whether Watkins stays, a new striker is high up on Emery’s wish list to either partner, compete with or replace Watkins. Either way, the club are looking short in attacking areas after Jhon Durán was sold in January and loan stars Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio returned to their parent clubs. Nicolas Jackson has reportedly been targeted by Villa, but an even better option could be on the market this summer than the Chelsea man.
Aston Villa should target Samu Aghehowa
A young striker with bags of ability who they targeted before, Villa should reignite their interest in Samu Aghehowa and hope they can negotiate a deal with Portuguese giants Porto for his signature.
The 21-year-old frontman made his breakthrough at Granada in Spain, before making a big move to Atlético Madrid and then subsequently Porto. Interestingly, he almost signed for Chelsea last summer, but a deal fell through and he went to Portugal instead. He has excelled at Porto, scoring 27 goals in 45 games in all competitions in his first season with the club.
On face value, the player may be ready to step up and play in the Premier League. But there may be complications around the deal. These surround the mammoth 50% of Aghehowa’s ‘transfer rights’ owned by Atlético, negotiated as pat of a cut-price €15m transfer to Porto. With an €100m (£85m) release clause in his contract, Porto are expected to demand this to be paid in full, as they will give half to Atlético - though Emery would hope to negotiate this figure back down towards £50m and hope the player forces through a move. Should the Villains manage to secure a deal, they would be getting one of Europe’s best young strikers with the potential to explode into a global star.
‘I am living a dream’ - Samu Aghehowa after Spain call-up
Already a full Spain international, Aghehowa spoke about his joy after receiving his first senior call-up in November 2024. “I am living a dream that I still sometimes can’t believe,” said Aghehowa. “Above all, I am very grateful for the opportunity, with desire to learn and help the team in whatever way I can. When they told me the news, the truth is that I got very happy, I couldn’t believe it and was glad to remember all the moments I have lived to get here. To win a title with the national team would be a dream for me.”
Blessed with pace and power in abundance, Aghehowa no doubt has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. The Athletic described Aghehowa, previously known as Samu Omorodion before he decided to use his mother’s maiden name, as a "modern No 9" who is "tall, quick, and physically imposing". He would offer a great option as an impact substitute off the bench for Villa, while putting pressure on Watkins and offering Emery a succession plan for when the 29-year-old does eventually move on.
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