Chelsea had once agreed a deal for the FC Porto striker but the player failed a medical and had his switch to Stamford Bridge called off.
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Tottenham Hotspur could have the upper hand in any potential January transfer battle for in demand FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa with several Premier League clubs linked with the 21-year-old.
Spurs splurged significant fees on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons this summer but failed to recruit an out-and-out striker to lead the line. Randal Kolo Muani came in on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and has struggled for goals.
Dominic Solanke is a more prolific option but continues to battle persistent injuries while Richarlison blows too hot and cold to be seen as a reliable option. Tottenham Hotspur are expected to have cash to spend come January thanks to the Lewis family trust’s recent £100 million capital injection.
Tottenham Hotspur lead race for FC Porto bagsman
A chunk of that money could go on Aghehowa. The young Spaniard has nine goals already this season and has racked up 36 in his 60 appearances for FC Porto.
The talisman was once close to joining Chelsea in 2024 but failed his medical issue with an ankle injury. That mishap has ultimately worked out in the player’s advantage given the heads that his form in Portugal has turned.
Porto paid just €15 million to sign the striker from Atletico Madrid instead of Chelsea and Metro had previously reported that his contract has a €100 million release clause. However, the Portuguese side are said to be willing to accept an offer of around €80 million - which is approximately £70 million.
Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea also monitoring Aghehowa
That could tempt Tottenham Hotspur given the player’s young age and potential growth. CaughtOffside report that Aghehowa is being ‘targeted’ by Spurs with Arsenal and Newcastle United also linked, as well as Chelsea.
The Gunners, Magpies and Blues did all sign new strikers for significant fees in the summer - Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to Chelsea, Yoane Wissa and Nick Wolatemade to Newcastle United - which could make Spurs the most realistic destination. The report does claim that Tottenham Hotspur are ‘leading the race’ for Aghehowa.
FIFA published an in depth profile on the player this summer and compared him to previous Spanish international strikers Fernando Torres and Alvaro Morata thanks to his ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal.
Former Spain striker Jonathan Soriano said: “You might prefer to have a forward who gets involved in the build-up or who makes runs in behind, like Samu does.
“We need forwards like him because that’s the direction football is heading in. It’s a quicker, more physical game nowadays. Players like him are extremely valuable. Samu is still very young and there’s massive scope for him to improve, but that’s no bad thing. He has so much potential, so much room to develop and a bright future ahead of him.”
In other news, Tottenham should hijack £70m Arsenal and Man City transfer for 'extraordinary' Real Madrid star after failed summer bid.