Newcastle United will not be moving for Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, it seems.
Newcastle are interested in Samu, who scored 19 goals in 30 games for the Portuguese giants last season.
The 21-year-old has been considered by Newcastle as a potential long-term replacement for Alexander Isak, who has asked to leave the club this summer amid interest from Liverpool.
Isak cannot leave before Newcastle sign a suitable replacement, with the potential arrival of Yoane Wissa reportedly deemed by the club as Callum Wilson’s heir.
Samu certainly ticked a lot of boxes. At his age, he boasts a huge amount of resale value and is of the profile that Eddie Howe can potentially help improve over the coming years.
Still, after Newcastle made a move by way of an “informal enquiry”, it seems Samu is now a non-starter.
Samu Aghehowa reacts after a Club World Cup game between FC Porto and Al Alhy SC.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Newcastle United baulk at Samu Aghehowa’s price tag
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail on YouTube, Newcastle are not willing to pay Porto’s huge asking price.
They want a stunning £80million for the forward, which would smash Newcastle United’s transfer record.
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Isak remains the most expensive player in Toon history, having arrived from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £63million.
The club, however, were prepared to break their transfer record on both Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko this summer.
“Newcastle and other Premier League clubs have reached out and made those informal enquiries as to his availability and what it would cost,” said Hope.
“What I’m told is the number coming back to Newcastle, I think Aston Villa was mentioned as well, is around £80million.
“On the back of that, I’m told that number would be prohibitive for Newcastle. They aren’t doing a deal at £80million.
“So that, right now, even though the question has been asked, Samu isn’t one who is necessarily on the list.”
How much did Porto pay for Samu Aghehowa?
The Portuguese giants brought him to the club from Atletico Madrid in 2024, paying an initial fee of £12.9million.
Atletico, who beat Newcastle at St James’ Park in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, had a sell-on clause of 50% but Porto can decrease that with further payments.
Samu Omorodion becomes new FC Porto player thanks to Villas-Boas mission after Chelsea deal off.
€15m for 50% of Samu, Atléti own 50%.
Porto can buy 15% for €5m in 2025.
Porto can buy another 15% for €5m in 2026.
Contract until 2029, €100m release clause. pic.twitter.com/0RuuEi0xnr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2024
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Samu also has a release clause worth around £86million in his contract.
Given the price tag involved, it makes sense why Newcastle would walk away. On paper, the idea of signing potentially the next big thing in the striker market is hugely exciting.
Still, PSR does not allow clubs many missteps in the transfer market. Samu, while clearly talented, remains inexperienced at the top level and is therefore something of a risk at that price point.