Newcastle Poised to Launch £70m Bid for Towering Porto Striker
Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has been anything but straightforward. With the start of the Premier League season looming, the Magpies are still wrestling with a major headache at the very top of the pitch.
Star forward Alexander Isak has made his stance crystal clear—he will not be reintegrating into the squad, even if a transfer away fails to materialise before the window shuts. His decision follows months of uncertainty, triggered by persistent interest from Liverpool, and has left Eddie Howe’s side scrambling for a solution.
The club’s position remains firm: Isak will only be allowed to leave if a suitable replacement is secured. But with the clock ticking and other targets slipping away, Newcastle’s options are narrowing fast.
The Magpies have already seen one high-profile pursuit fall apart when Benjamin Šeško chose Manchester United over a move to St James’ Park. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains on their shortlist, yet a deal for the Senegalese striker is far from guaranteed. And while Howe’s squad has been bolstered in other departments this summer—with Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale all joining, and a £40m move for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey on the brink of completion—the priority is clear: a new number nine is urgently needed.
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Enter the “Monster” from Portugal
That urgency has shifted Newcastle’s attention to a very different type of striker—one who trades Isak’s elegance and finesse for raw power, relentless aggression, and direct play.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, the Tyneside club are preparing a formal offer for FC Porto’s 21-year-old star Samu Aghehowa. Described by renowned talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a true monster in the making,” Samu has quickly developed a reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable young forwards.
Since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid last summer in a £15m deal, he has taken Portuguese football by storm—racking up 27 goals in 45 appearances, including 19 in the league and six in the Europa League. Standing at a towering 1.93 metres, Samu combines his physical dominance with blistering pace, making him an unrelenting menace for defenders.
Unsurprisingly, Porto are reluctant to lose their talisman so late in the window. Their £70m asking price is bolstered by the fact Atlético Madrid hold a 50% sell-on clause, which complicates negotiations and gives the Portuguese side little incentive to lower their demands. Samu himself is reportedly intrigued by the prospect of a Premier League move, drawn by the league’s intensity and profile, though he remains content to stay in Portugal if no agreement is reached.
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A Complete Contrast to Isak
For Newcastle, Samu represents not just a replacement for Isak, but a shift in attacking identity.
FBref statistics underline his strengths: ranking in the 75th percentile for non-penalty expected goals (0.43 per 90 minutes), the 86th percentile for total shots (3.10 per game), and an impressive 96th percentile for pass completion (77.8%). He averages 5.45 touches in the opposition penalty box per match—evidence of his instinct to play on the last defender’s shoulder—and also ranks in the 73rd percentile for interceptions, showing his willingness to press and win the ball high up the pitch.
Isak, by contrast, thrives on technical artistry. The Swede’s close control, intelligent movement, and composed finishing with either foot have been key to Newcastle’s attacking fluidity. He often drops deep to link play, creating space for runners like Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy, and his game is built on subtlety rather than brute force.
Samu, however, is a forward who thrives on physical battles. He backs into defenders, pins them in place, then bursts into space with explosive acceleration. His aerial dominance and willingness to constantly press make him a nightmare in counter-attacking scenarios. If Isak dissects defences with precision, Samu simply tears through them.
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A Tactical Shift on the Horizon?
Should Newcastle seal the deal, it could spark a notable shift in Howe’s tactical approach. Instead of relying on intricate build-up play to suit Isak’s style, the Magpies might become more direct in transition, exploiting Samu’s raw power and ability to bully opposition centre-backs.
This move would also inject a fresh dimension into their attack—one capable of overwhelming defences physically, not just outsmarting them. For a side aiming to maintain their upward trajectory despite a turbulent summer, it could be exactly the bold, aggressive gamble they need.
However, the transformation would not be without its challenges. Adapting to a new focal point in attack could take time, and the change in style might impact the rhythm of other attacking players. Yet, the potential upside is huge—Samu’s goal record and physical profile suggest he could quickly become one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers.
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The Verdict
After a summer of near misses and frustrating negotiations, Newcastle may finally be ready to land a statement signing. In Samu Aghehowa, they would gain not just a goalscorer, but a forward who embodies the “bully” mentality—capable of roughing up defenders, dominating in the air, and finishing with ruthless efficiency.
If the Magpies can meet Porto’s demands and beat the competition, they won’t be replacing Isak with a like-for-like player. Instead, they’ll be introducing a completely new weapon into their arsenal—one that could define their season and reshape the way they play.
In the end, the question isn’t whether Samu is good enough for Newcastle. It’s whether Newcastle can act quickly enough to bring him in before the window slams shut.