No more excuses! Gyokeres completes the Arsenal puzzle

Can Barcelona really afford Marcus Rashford?

Mead vital to Lionesses' Euros bid again - but as a super sub

Introducing the 2025 British & Irish Football Lions!

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Beckham sends special message to Torres as he visits Inter Miami

CR7 sweeps Saudi Pro League awards after exploits with Al-Nassr

Transfers LIVE: Mbeumo to Man Utd could be off

Ballon d'Or: Dembele set to hold on despite CWC final no-show

‘One who bears name & legacy’ - Ronaldo Jr trains in Portugal

Yamal signs blockbuster new Barca deal & inherits No.10 shirt

Williams explains why he snubbed Barcelona transfer

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Villa linked with Rashford alternative</li><li>Samu deal could cost £50m</li><li>Chelsea nearly signed him last summer</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Marcus Rashford replacement? Aston Villa target Porto star Samu Aghehowa a year after Chelsea's failed attempt to sign Spanish forward

<p><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34782754/aston-villa-transfer-samu-aghehowa-scouted-rashford-watkins/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun </em></a>has reported that Villa are showing interest in Samu Aghehowa, who has scored 24 goals for Porto this season. The Spanish talent only joined the Portuguese club last summer and an offer of £50 million ($66m) could be enough to prompt a deal. Villa are thought to be keeping an open as to the attacking make-up of their squad next season, with doubts over Rashford and even Ollie Watkins.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rashford is on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season. The England forward comes with a £40m ($53m) option to buy, but there are far from any guarantees that Villa will trigger it, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/aston-villa-blow-man-utd-loanee-marcus-rashford-barcelona-transfer-decision-compromise-needed-seal-la-liga-move/bltd9890d75f64f11ec" target="_blank">Rashford reported to prefer the idea of joining Barcelona</a> and concerns about meeting his sky high wage demands after his parent club has covered a sizeable chunk of that salary since January. Interest in Samu could be an indication that Villa are preparing to look elsewhere.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The striker, previously known as Samu Omorodion, was close to joining Chelsea last summer. A £35m ($47m) deal was in place with Atletico Madrid, but the Blues were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-chelsea-transfer-for-atletico-madrid-samu-omorodion-collapsed-explained/blt213c4d6027b55574#csde0a81f581430255" target="_blank">not satisfied by the outcome of a medical assessment</a>, prompting the transfer to collapse. Porto then offered the player a deal instead.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Villa must make a final decision on Rashford, whether to retain him at the option price or not. If they let the forward return to United, the club's transfer department will be more free to pursue targets they want to strengthen up front.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Marcus Rashford replacement? Aston Villa target Porto star Samu Aghehowa a year after Chelsea's failed attempt to sign Spanish forward | Goal.com

Aston Villa are linked with one of Europe&apos;s top young strikers amid uncertainty about Marcus Rashford&apos;s future at the club.