Aston Villa manager Unai Emery in a press conference.placeholder image
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery in a press conference. | Getty Images
Aston Villa have had a quiet summer transfer window so far
Only two Premier League sides have spent less than Aston Villa this summer. That makes worrying viewing for fans of a club who only just missed out on the Champions League last season, in what fans will hope does not prove to be a sliding doors moment.
Last season’s top four have been the four biggest spenders this summer and will aim to run clear of the chasing pack. For Villa, this summer has been more focused on watching PSR concerns and avoiding selling big-name players such as Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
The Villans may need to sell in order to make a marquee signing of their own, though, and suitors have not yet been found for any of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Jacob Ramsey or Leon Bailey. With work on sales continuing behind the scenes, Unai Emery’s side have been linked with a top target - and they should not let the opportunity to sign him slip away.
Aston Villa linked with top young striker
Links between Aston Villa and 21-year-old Porto striker Samu Aghehowa have intensified in recent days. The West Midlands club have ‘made an enquiry’ for the player, report Mail Sport.
The Mail’s report states that Aghehowa is “ready-made for the Premier League”, and it is easy to see why. Tall, quick and physical with deadly instincts in front of goal, Aghehowa has a vast range of natural attributes at his disposal and is likely to only get better. If Villa miss out on signing him now, another European heavyweight will no doubt secure his signature before too long.
The potential stumbling block in negotiations appears to be Porto’s asking price. Portuguese clubs have been known to drive a hard bargain in recent years and this is no different, as the club have slapped an €100million (£86m) price tag on the Spaniard and will reportedly only entertain offers which match the initial £55m Arsenal paid Sporting CP for Viktor Gyokeres.
Samu Aghehowa could become Aston Villa’s new Jhon Duran
A 21-year-old Spanish-speaking striker with raw potential and the world at his feet, Aghehowa evokes the memory of a certain Jhon Duran, who was sold by Villa to Al-Nassr in January. While the two may have slightly different play styles on the pitch, the impact Aghehowa could have alongside Watkins could be just as great as that of the young Colombian last season.
Watkins largely remained Villa’s starting striker with Duran often making a match-winning impact off the bench, and fans will hope Aghehowa could make a similar impression if he were to arrive at Villa Park. The club knew how special a talent Duran was, but they were not yet ready to replace Watkins in the starting XI. This time could be different.
There is no guarantee that Watkins even remains at the club come the end of the transfer window on September 1. Manchester United continue to be linked and, while Villa hope to hold onto their star striker, he turns 30 in December and may be moved on before too long. If Aghehowa arrives this summer and hits the ground running, there is a world where Watkins is sold next year and the Spain international becomes the Villans’ new No.9 for years to come. But this is only possible if they take a punt on breaking the bank for him now, while the chance is still there.
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