Manchester United are still on the lookout for a striker and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is said to be one of the options.
Currently, Manchester United are busy trying to get a deal for Bryan Mbeumo over the line, but after that, attention will turn to the centre-forward position.
Liam Delap snubbed United early on in the window and now it seems Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on Arsenal. With Ineos’ top two targets gone, they are having to widen their search.
United have been linked with Ollie Watkins, who is valued around £60m by Aston Villa this summer. The 29-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who underperformed in 2024/25.
However, United should keep one eye on Villa’s potential replacement.
Samu Aghehowa celebrates scoring for Porto.
Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images
Man United should rival Aston Villa for Samu Aghehowa
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Porto felt pressured to complete a full purchase of Samu Aghehowa because of interest from Villa.
Porto struck a unique deal with Atletico Madrid for the striker, buying an initial 50% of his rights before completing a full purchase this summer. That does not, however, mean he is staying put this window, with the report claiming Porto are open to selling him for around £60m (€70m).
Aghehowa has been identified as a replacement for Ollie Watkins if he is sold this summer, but United could go one step further and beat Villa to the Spanish forward.
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At 21 years old, Samu is an incredible talent who has become a talisman at Porto. Ineos have preferred to sign young and upcoming players at United and Samu is a much better fit with the transfer strategy than Watkins is.
Ruben Amorim does want Premier League-proven players this summer, hence the deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. But United know firsthand just how impressive of a talent Samu is.
Samu Aghehowa dominated vs Man United
Back in October, United drew 3-3 with Porto in the Europa League and Aghehowa scored twice in Portugal. The 21-year-old was completely dominant in the air and was a handful for United’s defence.
Amorim wants more physicality in his side and Aghehowa would certainly provide that if he was signed by the Red Devils.
United have been scouting Aghehowa, so it wouldn’t be a move out of the dark. He is on Ineos’ radar, and is available for around £60m.
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He scored 27 goals in 45 appearances for Porto last season, finishing second in the scoring charts behind Gyokeres.
United fans will have bitter memories of Samu shredding defenders in Portugal, and at 21 he still has huge potential to become a world-class star at Old Trafford.