Aston Villa identify potential Ollie Watkins replacement

Aston Villa have earmarked a potential successor for striker Ollie Watkins, with Manchester United expressing strong interest in signing the English international this summer.

Villa have targeted FC Porto’s promising striker Sami Aghehowa, valued at €80 million (£69m) by the Portuguese club, as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins should he leave Villa Park this summer.

United aim to bolster their attacking lineup following a dismal 2024/25 season, where the Old Trafford club finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst-ever top-flight campaign.

United’s strikers, Joshua Zirkzee (3) and Rasmus Højlund (4), managed a mere seven Premier League goals combined last season, spurring the club to seek attacking reinforcements for the upcoming campaign.

The Red Devils have been linked with several strikers, including Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, who reportedly favors a Premier League move to Arsenal over reuniting with his former manager, Ruben Amorim.

Villa are preparing for the potential departure of 27-year-old Ollie Watkins this summer, identifying Sami Aghehowa as his replacement to mitigate any surprises.

FC Porto swiftly signed Samu from Atletico Madrid last summer for €30 million (£26m), paying €15 million (£13m) upfront and deferring the remaining 50 percent as a future transfer fee.

The Portuguese club have recently paid €12 million (£10m) for the player’s rights, though it remains uncertain whether they have fully settled the outstanding dues owed to Atletico Madrid.

According to A Bola report, Porto may be open to parting with the striker after a single season, during which he scored 27 goals in 45 appearances, with clubs like Aston Villa expressing interest in the 21-year-old forward.

The report adds that Porto value the player at €80 million, and the starting point of any negotiation will be at €70 million.

Any potential move for the Spanish footballer hinges on Watkins’ departure from Villa, as the England international becomes a key target for Manchester United in their efforts to overhaul their attacking line this summer.

United aim to sign a striker this summer, but their success may rely on offloading players like Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Højlund, and Alejaand Garnacho, among others.