Newcastle United have accepted that a move for long-time transfer target Bryan Mbeumo may not work out this summer, with the Brentford forward reportedly preferring to sign for Manchester United.
Whether that will happen is another matter, and no longer the Magpies' concern, for Eddie Howe and the powers that be have turned their attention to alternative options, Anthony Elanga and Mohammed Kudus among the targeted.
While Newcastle are in talks with Callum Wilson for a new contract, the ageing striker failed to register a goal contribution in the Premier League last season as he battled through injury problems, and some extra firepower to complement Alexander Isak wouldn't go amiss.
Alexander-Isak-2
Newcastle plotting to sign new striker
Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro is right at the top of the shopping list, but Newcastle may well be plotting to sign an even more exciting centre-forward.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are considering an official move for Porto's Samu Aghehowa in the coming months, having been keeping tabs on the prolific striker.
Though the 21-year-old has an £82.5m release clause in his contract, he could be sold for considerably less, with a fee of £63m mooted.
FC Porto's Samu Omorodion celebrates scoring their first goal
Manchester United are also interested as they search for an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund, and the Premier League competitors may well battle it out for the number nine.
What Samu Omorodion would bring to Newcastle
Tall, powerful and blessed with swift pace, Aghehowa has the fundamental skills to become a fearsome marksman in the Premier League, more still a perfect counterpoint to ther breezy dynamism of Isak.
Samu 2024-25 stats (timeless)
He might not be the finished article, but this wouldn't actually be a negative: Aghehowa would join a Newcastle team blessed with "the best striker in the Premier League" in Isak, as has been said by pundit Jamie Carragher, and Wilson, an experienced poacher.
It's a fantastic mix, and one which could see Aghehowa springboard into the ascendency. Who knows, he might even prove an even bigger star than Pedro with some careful man-management over the coming years.
Though Pedro has impressed since joining Brighton from Watford in a deal worth around £30m two years ago, scoring 30 goals and providing ten assists across 70 matches, 18 of those strikes have come from the penalty spot.
Aghehowa's ceiling is higher.
Joining Porto from Atletico Madrid last summer just weeks after a move to Chelsea collapsed, Omorodion has thrived in Portugal, scoring 25 goals across 42 matches in all competitions, including a six-goal haul in the Europa League that saw him fire two past Man United.
League 24/25 - Samu Omorodion vs Joao Pedro
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Duels won*
Stats via Sofascore
Hailed as a "monster in the making" with a "complete profile" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Aghehowa has the mark of an elite-level goalscorer, and while Brighton's Brazilian forward is more creative and dynamic, Newcastle must invest their chips in the man who could become one of the deadliest number nines in the business.
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