- 20-year-old Samu Aghehowa has caught the attention of top clubs after an outstanding season in Portugal
- Both clubs believe Porto could accept a bid of around €50m (£41m) despite his €100m (£82.5m) release clause
- Aston Villa and West Ham are also monitoring Aghehowa but are behind Chelsea and Arsenal in the race
Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly preparing to battle it out for Porto’s in-form forward Samu Aghehowa when the summer transfer window opens.
The 20-year-old forward, who was previously linked with a move to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid last summer, eventually signed for Porto. Since then, he has enjoyed a breakout season, netting 19 goals and providing three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea now ready to back their interest in him with action.
However, the Blues face stiff competition from Arsenal, who are actively searching for a new striker to bolster their squad for next season.
Aghehowa’s stats this season have been nothing short of impressive. In the Portuguese league alone, he has scored 13 goals and registered three assists in 19 appearances.
Additionally, his six-goal tally in the Europa League has included standout performances, particularly against Manchester United, further cementing his status as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
His stellar form has led to speculation that Porto could demand a hefty fee for his services. Although his contract contains a €100m (£82.5m) release clause, reports suggest that a bid in the region of €50m (£41m) could be enough to convince the Portuguese club to sell.
While Chelsea and Arsenal appear to be leading the chase for Aghehowa, they are not the only clubs interested. Aston Villa and West Ham United have also reportedly entered the race, though they may struggle to match the financial firepower and prestige of their London rivals.
Aghehowa’s rise has not come without setbacks. The forward endured a frustrating summer last year when his proposed move to Chelsea collapsed despite reports that the Blues had agreed on a £35m deal with Atletico Madrid.
Reflecting on that period, he admitted,
"It was a very difficult summer. When I was in Madrid, I had a very bad time. The Chelsea deal didn’t work out for a reason, and in the end, everything turned out well."
His patience and perseverance paid off, as he secured a move to Porto, where he has flourished. Now, with Chelsea back in the hunt and Arsenal ready to challenge them, the Nigerian-Spanish striker could be on the verge of another big career move.
How ex-FC Porto’s coach's laptop protest on touchline landed him in trouble with officials
Previously, TheRadar reported that Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason during Fenerbahçe’s 2-0 win over Antalyaspor on Sunday, September 29.
Mourinho’s frustration with an offside call led to an extraordinary scene involving a laptop and the VAR camera, earning him a yellow card unlike any other in his long managerial career.
