Aston Villa stepping up chase to sign £42m sensation now outscoring Watkins

In a move that would replace Jhon Duran, Aston Villa are now reportedly stepping up their chase to sign a £42m striker who’s outscored Ollie Watkins so far this season.

Aston Villa transfer news

After a blockbuster January transfer window saw the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio arrive on loan, Aston Villa looked destined to take the top four race by storm, but defeat against Crystal Palace has since stopped them in their tracks. It wasn’t just any defeat, either. The manner in which Unai Emery‘s side were brushed aside should concern the Spaniard, who watched on as Palace earned a 4-1 victory.

It’s a game which could have been ready-made for Duran to step off the bench and change for the Villans, begging the question as to whether those in the Midlands need to invest in a replacement for their former super-sub.

When the summer arrives, those at Villa Park should certainly have money to spend after opting for loan moves rather than permanent buys in the January transfer window, and that could yet see one star man arrive.

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now stepping up their chase to sign Samu Omorodion Aghehowa from Porto, who valued their forward at €50m (£42m) this summer.

Amid interest from West Ham United and Chelsea, Villa certainly have a battle on their hands if they want to secure their Duran replacement and a player who would complete their attack once again.

At just 20 years old, Aghehowa has been one of the signings of the season at Porto, having arrived from Atletico Madrid for a reported £12.7m before the season got underway. Stealing headline after headline ever since, Samu could now be on the move once again in the coming months.

“Powerhouse” Samu can compete with Watkins

Just as Duran did, Samu would push Watkins all the way for a starting place at Villa Park. As goalscorers go, there haven’t been many better than the Porto star this season. Not even Watkins, himself, boasts a better record than Aghehowa’s 19 goals in all competitions throughout the current campaign – highlighting just how clinical he has been.

Dubbed an “absolute powerhouse” by analyst Ben Mattinson earlier this season, Samu would offer Emery an ideal alternative than the more creative and neat Watkins.

In games such as Villa’s thrashing at the hands of Palace, an alternative option can make all the difference as Emery should be well aware of from Duran’s impact before his January exit.

Replacing that impact could be the key to unlocking Champions League football once again next season. As the fixtures come thick and fast, competition between Watkins and a pure goalscorer would be no bad thing.

For just £42m, those at Villa Park would be wise to make their move and secure Omorodion’s signature sooner rather than later.