Barcelona has reportedly entered the race to sign Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, joining Chelsea and Arsenal in their pursuit of the highly-rated forward. The Spanish giants are eyeing the 20-year-old as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, considering him as a backup option for next season before he potentially takes over the starting role in the 2026-27 campaign.
Samu has enjoyed a breakout season in Portugal, scoring 20 goals and providing three assists in 32 appearances since joining Porto from Atletico Madrid last summer. His rapid development has caught the attention of top European clubs, with Barcelona now keen to secure his services before the Premier League giants make their move.
Barcelona is reportedly confident that a bid of around €60m (£50m) could be enough to persuade Porto to part ways with the striker. Given his potential and growing reputation, this fee could represent a bargain for a player who has evolved significantly since his time in Spain’s top flight.
Before his move to Porto, Samu began his professional career with Granada, making just one appearance before signing a five-year deal with Atletico Madrid in August 2023. However, he failed to feature for the Madrid club and instead spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Alaves, where he scored eight goals and registered one assist in 35 matches.
Last summer, Chelsea had reportedly agreed on a deal to sign Samu, but the transfer fell through at the last moment. The failed move left the young striker in limbo, leading to a difficult period where he trained separately at Atletico and struggled with uncertainty about his future.
Reflecting on that challenging time, Samu revealed that he had a tough experience dealing with the uncertainty. He admitted to feeling isolated during training and struggling mentally, but he eventually found stability with his move to Porto, where he has flourished this season.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Samu comes amid their broader efforts to strengthen their squad for the future. The club is also reportedly exploring options to sign a new right-back in the upcoming summer transfer window, having already initiated discussions about reinforcing that position.
As the transfer window approaches, Barcelona’s interest in Samu Aghehowa signals their intent to secure promising young talents. Whether they can outmaneuver Chelsea and Arsenal for his signature remains to be seen, but the battle for the Porto striker is set to intensify in the coming months.