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Newcastle could sign Porto striker Samu Aghehowa for a lower fee than his £82.5million release clause this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Porto are still set to demand a “huge” fee for the 20-year-old, making the deal a difficult one to pull off.
Meanwhile, if Eddie Howe’s side fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, there are concerns that they may not be able to afford a deal for Samu.
The Magpies are in the market for a new striker as Callum Wilson is set to leave Newcastle upon the expiry of his contract in the summer.
Multiple clubs are thought to have joined the race for the Spain international, and Newcastle will struggle to convince him of the move without Champions League football.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham are all thought to be monitoring his situation, while Aghehowa decided against a move to Chelsea last summer despite a deal being agreed.
Newcastle line up offer to sign Callum Wilson replacement
With Wilson set to leave St James’ Park in the summer transfer window, efforts behind the scenes have turned towards locating a backup or option to play alongside Alexander Isak.
Newcastle are determined to keep hold of the Sweden international despite Isak becoming Liverpool’s top target, while Arsenal’s interest has lingered.
His sale would likely give the Magpies the funds required to pull off a deal for Aghehowa, but they remain fixed in their stance that talks over the striker’s exit will not be entertained.
Wilson’s departure is expected to free up some wages and space in the squad, however, and Newcastle will continue to assess their options in the transfer market.
Aghegowa attracting attention from Premier League giants
Aghehowa has scored 20 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions for Porto this season, and his contract with the Portuguese giants is set to run until 2029.
That has put his club firmly in the driving seat with regard to his long-term future despite the increasing levels of interest in his signature.
Arsenal and Aston Villa’s interest comes as both clubs are determined to strengthen up front during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have targeted the signing of an out-and-out forward all year amid concerns about Kai Havertz, while Villa lost Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr in January.
Newcastle are thought to be long-term admirers of the 20-year-old, but their difficult financial position will make it difficult to pull off a big-money move.
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