A transfer race is hotting up between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Aston Villa have reportedly increased their interest in signing Porto striker Samu Aghehowa this summer but could face competition from several other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United.

The 21-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 18 goals and making three assists in 28 Liga Portugal fixtures. Aghehowa has impressed on the nearby continent, too, netting six times in nine UEFA Europa League outings until being knocked out in the play-off stage by AS Roma.

It’s been an impressive rise from Aghehowa after leaving Atletico Madrid for Porto last summer. The Spaniard was in advanced talks with Chelsea at one stage but the transfer never materialised as he was convinced by Porto president Andre Villas Boas to move to Portugal instead.

Villa, eager to sign a long-term replacement for Jhon Duran following the Colombian’s £67.5 million departure for Al-Nassr in January, are weighing up their options. Marcus Rashford joined on loan from Manchester United in the winter with a £40 million buy option, but the Villans are yet to decide whether to activate that and are considering alternatives.

Portuguese publication Record reports Villa, who have been tracking Aghehowa for some time, are interested in pursuing their interest this summer. The Villans have recently had representatives in attendance to watch him in action. Football Insider claimed in March, meanwhile, that Newcastle are among the clubs keen on signing the striker.

Aghehowa has a release clause of €100 million (£85m) inserted in his Porto contract but he could be available for significantly less than that. A previous report suggested the Liga Portugal club would be willing to accept around €50 million (£42.5m) for the clinical attacker’s services.

Villa and Newcastle aren’t alone in the race for Aghehowa as the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham United have all shown a strong interest over recent months. A bidding war could commence if more than one club makes an official approach to Porto once the window opens.

Did Aghehowa used to be called Omorodion?

A debutant for the senior Spain national team last November in a 3-2 UEFA Nations League victory over Switzerland, Aghehowa is certainly living up to the potential so many people spoke of when he was still playing in La Liga. It came as a big surprise when Porto managed to secure his services as interest was widespread, but in order to get the deal done the Portuguese club only secured 50 per cent of his transfer rights. The other half remains with Atletico.

Aghehowa also recently changed his name from Omorodion, doing so in the same month he made his debut for Spain. The decision was made to honour his mother’s involvement in his upbringing; Aghehowa believed representing her name on the big stage was the least he could do to give back.

Spain are very gifted with midfielders and wingers but have struggled to field a consistent number nine for many years now. It’s hoped Aghehowa can be the man to help lead Luis de la Fuente’s men to further glory following their recent UEFA EURO 2024 success.