Aston Villa latest transfer news as reports emerge Unai Emery remains interested in FC Porto's Samu
FC Porto star Samuel Aghehowa, known as Samu
FC Porto star Samuel Aghehowa, known as Samu(Image: 2025 Eurasia Sport Images)
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Aston Villa remain in the race for FC Porto's sought-after attacker Samuel Aghehowa, known in Portugal as Samu, but they face a familiar stumbling block for any potential transfer.
This was revealed in Wednesday's edition of A Bola which says the club only missed out on the Spanish international in the summer due to PSR rules.
Samu has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent times, namely Villa, Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle United, but he's yet to make the move to England.
It is said the 21-year-old's €100/£87 million release clause has proven quite the obstacle for many teams, though it's claimed the player could be allowed to leave the Estádio do Dragão for less.
After a mixed start to the 2025/26 season, which sees Villa sit 11th place in the Premier League despite winning two from two so far in their Europa League campaign, Unai Emery could be looking to bolster his options in the winter.
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A Bola claim the Villans are still interested in Samu as a potential option, though it remains uncertain whether a move can be made without breaking financial and spending regulations.
Samu, who plays as Porto's number nine, has enjoyed a successful start to the season, scoring five goals in seven games in the Liga Portugal, seemingly continuing last year's form where he netted 19 times and notched three assists in 30 league appearances.
Villa will likely be in the market for a striker come the winter, with star forward Ollie Watkins struggling for form at present.
The England international has found the net just the once in 11 games across all competitions — with his solitary goal coming in September's 3-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park.
Villa fans interested in finding out whether Samu could find his feet in the Premier League will be interested in seeing how he gets off against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on Thursday at 8pm.
While the Villans will be in European action on the same day, away to Go Ahead Eagles at an earlier 5.45pm kick off.
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