Spanish-Nigerian striker Samu Aghehowa attracting interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United

Aston Villa and Newcastle United are among several Premier League clubs monitoring FC Porto’s prolific forward, Samu Aghehowa, following his impressive form in Portugal.

The 23-year-old striker has been one of Porto’s standout players this season and remains firmly on the radar of top English sides ahead of the January window.

Born in Spain to Nigerian parents, Aghehowa represents La Roja internationally but maintains deep ties to his African roots.

His blend of strength, precision, and flair has drawn comparisons to some of the continent’s great forwards.

Aghehowa’s rise at Porto almost never happened. In the summer of 2024, he came close to joining Chelsea in a €40 million deal after a stellar season with Alavés while on loan from Atlético Madrid.

He even completed medical tests in London before the transfer collapsed due to hesitation from the Blues. That setback briefly left the striker in limbo.

Nottingham Forest, then managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, explored signing him, holding multiple meetings with his representatives in London and Madrid. But Aghehowa ultimately felt the project lacked the ambition he sought.

His fortunes changed when FC Porto, under André Villas-Boas, seized the opportunity, signing him for €15 million for half of his rights.

The total fee has since risen to €32 million after the club acquired full ownership. The move proved transformative.

Aghehowa became a key figure for Porto, breaking scoring records and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising forwards.

Now, with the Premier League watching closely, his name is back in English headlines.

Newcastle made contact with Porto during the last summer window, while Aston Villa’s interest reportedly fell through due to financial fair play constraints.

Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked again, but his previous experience with the Blues makes that route unlikely.

Aghehowa is contracted to Porto until 2029, with a €100 million release clause—proof of how highly the Portuguese giants value their Spanish-Nigerian star.