6 days ago
35
Liverpool is watching Newcastle's transfer business far closer than usual this summer. Partly because it's funny, but mostly because of the knock-on effect it could have on any Alexander Isak deal.
The latest blow for the Magpies saw them miss out on Benjamin Sesko, who appears bound for Manchester United. They have now pivoted again, with Samu Aghehowa the latest to be named as a transfer target at St James' Park.
But is he a striker capable of being the Isak replacement? Here's what we know about Aghehowa, and what he might mean for Arne Slot's transfer ambitions — after the Liverpool coach broke his silence on links to the incumbent Newcastle forward.
While Aghehowa may seem like something of a nonentity at first, and certainly not a striker capable of ultimately filling the Isak void, that may be down to a simple misunderstanding. The forward was previously known as Samu Omorodion, a name which may be a little more familiar to lots of fans.
That being said, there's no suggestion that Aghehowa has anywhere near the pedigree of Isak. But he's a little closer to the profile of the Swede from back when Newcastle first signed him, having spent time honing his craft at a couple of top European clubs.
Aghehowa currently plays for Porto, where he plundered 19 goals in 30 league games last season. He also scored twice in three appearances at the Club World Cup this summer.
Prior to that, he was on the books at Atletico Madrid. But much like Isak at Dortmund before him, he never got a real look-in at senior level, and is now in the process of taking a longer path toward the top.
At 21, Aghehowa has a huge amount of room to grow. But perhaps not physically, with the striker already an imposing presence capable of bullying defenders.
As for European pedigree, he is yet to test himself in the Champions League, where it is easy to forget that Newcastle will be joining Liverpool this season. But he did bag six goals in nine Europa League matches last season, including a brace against Manchester United, and goals against Roma and Hoffenheim.
That might be partly why Porto has set an apparent asking price of $93 million. Another reason may be that it has seen Newcastle coming.
Eddie Howe's side will be getting increasingly desperate as the window progresses, and yet another uncooperative seller could pave the way for another drawn-out saga. Waiting in the wings, Liverpool will of course hope for a smoother outcome.
If Newcastle can navigate its way through negotiations, then there's every reason to suspect that Aghehowa could at least form part of an Isak succession plan. There are few players in his age group to have shown such promise at such a relatively high level of the game.
That said, you do get the sense that Howe would still want someone else through the door as well. Will Osula is currently the only other striker on the books, and he was entrusted with just 124 league minutes last season.
But with any luck, Aghehowa could at least begin to pave the way for an Isak transfer to Liverpool. Now it just remains to be seen whether Newcastle will fare any better in this negotiation than it has done for most of the summer.
English (US) ·