Forget Nicolas Jackson – Aston Villa can sign dream striker who can rocket side back to Champions League
Aston Villa Must Make a Big Statement This Summer – And Samu Aghehowa Could Be the Answer
Aston Villa find themselves at a crucial crossroads this summer. After coming agonisingly close to securing Champions League football for the first time in the modern era, Unai Emery’s men now face a pivotal transfer window—one that could define the trajectory of the club’s ambitions moving forward.
Missing out on Europe’s premier club competition was a painful blow, made worse by increasing financial pressure. The club’s issues with Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) are no secret, and unless Villa act swiftly and smartly in the market, they risk falling behind their rivals, both domestically and on the European stage. The need for a bold move is urgent—and perhaps nowhere is that need more pressing than in the attacking department.
Concerns Over Key Departures and the Need to Reinforce
The looming possibility of losing cornerstone players like Ollie Watkins or Emiliano Martínez only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the summer. Watkins, Villa’s talisman up front, has been linked with a number of top clubs, while Martínez—one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers—also continues to attract attention across Europe.
Even if the club manages to keep its star names, it’s clear that Emery needs fresh firepower. Villa’s attacking depth has thinned considerably following the January departure of Jhon Durán and the return of loan players Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to their parent clubs. That leaves Watkins as the club’s only reliable option up top—an unsustainable situation for a team with ambitions of competing on multiple fronts.
While links to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson have surfaced, there could be an even more exciting—and ultimately smarter—option on the market.
A Star on the Rise: Why Villa Should Reignite Interest in Samu Aghehowa
Enter Samu Aghehowa, a 21-year-old Spanish-Nigerian striker who has emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in European football. Aston Villa were previously linked with the dynamic forward, and now could be the ideal time to revive their interest.
Aghehowa, who recently opted to go by his mother’s maiden name after previously being known as Samu Omorodion, is a player with immense promise and an already impressive CV. After making his breakthrough at Granada, he earned a move to Atlético Madrid before signing with Portuguese giants FC Porto last summer in a deal worth €15 million. That move came after a proposed transfer to Chelsea collapsed at the eleventh hour—a twist that allowed Porto to swoop in.
What followed was a sensational debut season. Aghehowa racked up 27 goals in just 45 appearances across all competitions, proving himself to be not just a young talent, but a clinical and consistent goalscorer. His explosive form has unsurprisingly drawn the attention of clubs across Europe, and Villa would do well to act quickly if they want to avoid being left behind.
A Complicated Deal – But One Worth Fighting For
Any pursuit of Aghehowa, however, will come with significant challenges. A major hurdle comes in the form of a complex ownership situation—Atlético Madrid retained 50% of the player’s economic rights when they sold him to Porto, meaning any transfer fee will be split evenly between the two clubs.
Porto, well aware of Aghehowa’s value, have inserted a €100 million (£85 million) release clause into his contract. While they are expected to demand this amount in full, Villa could attempt to negotiate a lower fee, potentially in the region of £50 million, especially if the player expresses a desire to move to the Premier League. Such a fee would still represent a major outlay, but one that could pay dividends both now and in the future.
A Modern No. 9 Made for the Premier League
What makes Aghehowa so appealing isn’t just his output, but his style of play. Standing tall, blessed with blistering pace and tremendous physicality, he fits the mold of a modern No. 9—something The Athletic highlighted when describing him as “tall, quick, and physically imposing.” He’s not just a target man, but a forward capable of running in behind, pressing from the front, and bullying defenders—an ideal weapon in Emery’s tactical arsenal.
His versatility would allow Emery to either partner him with Watkins, use him as an impact substitute, or eventually mould him into the long-term successor for the England international. At just 21, Aghehowa also has time on his side and plenty of room to grow under the guidance of a manager like Emery.
A Future Star with International Pedigree
Aghehowa’s rapid rise has already earned him a place on the international stage. He made his senior debut for Spain in November 2024 and spoke of his pride in achieving a lifelong dream.
> “I am living a dream that I still sometimes can’t believe,” he said. “Above all, I am very grateful for the opportunity, with desire to learn and help the team in whatever way I can. When they told me the news, the truth is that I got very happy, I couldn’t believe it and was glad to remember all the moments I have lived to get here. To win a title with the national team would be a dream for me.”
This humility and hunger, combined with his natural talent, make him a dream acquisition for a club like Villa—ambitious, upwardly mobile, and in need of players ready to take that next leap.
Conclusion: A Defining Summer Awaits
For Aston Villa, this summer is about more than just transfers—it’s about signalling intent. Bringing in a player of Samu Aghehowa’s quality would be a major statement that the club is serious about not only maintaining its current level but pushing even further.
Yes, the financials are tricky, and yes, the competition will be fierce. But if Villa are serious about closing the gap on Europe’s elite and becoming a Champions League regular, then these are the sorts of bold moves they must make. Aghehowa may not come cheap, but neither does success—and this is a gamble that could pay off in a big way.