Aston Villa have set their sights on FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa as they assess their attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Premier League side is understood to be actively monitoring the 21-year-old Spanish forward, whose impressive form for Porto this season has made him one of the most talked-about young attackers in Europe.
With uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford’s future at Villa Park, the club is reportedly weighing alternatives, and Aghehowa has emerged as a priority target.
Unai Emery is believed to be particularly keen on the Spaniard, who has scored 18 goals in the Portuguese top flight and added six more in the Europa League.
Those performances have not gone unnoticed by the club’s recruitment staff.
According to reports from England, a Villa representative was present in Portugal last Friday to watch Aghehowa in action against Moreirense — a match in which the forward netted twice.
Aghehowa, who was close to joining Chelsea last summer, could now finally secure a move to the Premier League.
While that move to Stamford Bridge never materialised, his continued development at Porto has only increased his appeal.
Aston Villa see him as a potentially transformative addition to their squad, especially if they secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Villa’s interest comes at a time when Porto’s own European prospects appear bleak, a factor that may influence Aghehowa’s decision should formal negotiations begin.
The allure of Champions League football and the chance to work under Emery could prove decisive in swaying the striker towards Birmingham.
The player’s current market valuation stands at approximately €50 million — a figure that Villa may be willing to meet if they feel Aghehowa can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value.
While no official bid has been tabled yet, sources close to the club suggest that preliminary discussions are likely in the coming weeks, especially as Villa finalise their summer shortlist.
If Villa do move forward, they can expect competition, but their clear intent and scouting presence indicate they’re positioning themselves early.
Aghehowa’s potential move would mark another high-profile signing in what is shaping up to be a busy summer for Emery’s side, as they aim to build on recent domestic momentum and establish themselves among England’s elite.
