Tottenham Hotspur can land Samu Aghehowa for €80m in the January transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of attacking output this season has cost the club dearly in several matches. The forwards have struggled to deliver, and Thomas Frank has found it difficult to get the best out of his attackers on a consistent basis. Under Ange Postecoglou, the Lilywhites played free-flowing and attacking football, regularly creating numerous chances for the front line.
The same cannot be said for Thomas Frank, who has adopted a more pragmatic approach week after week. There is a case to be made for the strikers, who often lack sufficient service in the final third. This is largely because Frank prefers to field three ball-winning midfielders instead of deploying a creative playmaker who can link up with the number nine.
In addition, Spurs tend to sit back and are not particularly quick in transition, making it difficult for the centre-forward to impose himself in attacking areas. The game against Chelsea clearly demonstrated this issue, as Randal Kolo Muani struggled to make an impact due to the cautious tactical setup employed by the Lilywhites.
Tottenham could still land Porto striker Samu Aghehowa in the winter
It comes as no surprise that Tottenham are planning to bring in attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window as they look to turn their season around. The Lilywhites are struggling for goals under Frank and need a player who can convert chances and make the most of limited opportunities in front of goal.
Recent reports have linked Spurs with Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, as the club considers replacing Richarlison in the coming months. Thomas Frank is reportedly a huge admirer of the Spaniard and has urged the club’s hierarchy to make every effort to sign him in January before other suitors enter the race.
Reports also suggest that Porto will only sanction Aghehowa’s departure if Tottenham meet their €100 million asking price. However, according to Correio da Manhã (via Sport Witness), Porto president André Villas-Boas is now willing to part ways with the 21-year-old for as little as €80 million, describing it as an “irresistible offer.”
The same report adds that Porto are open to selling the prolific striker due to mounting financial pressure. Spurs will likely have to fend off competition from Chelsea, who are also monitoring the forward closely ahead of the January window.
There is no questioning Samu Aghehowa’s potential. The Spaniard possesses all the attributes needed to become a world-class forward, as reflected in his impressive performances for Porto. However, an €80 million price tag seems excessive, especially considering that he has yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues. Investing such a large sum in an untested player would be a major gamble for Tottenham and for Thomas Frank’s project.
The key question now is whether the Lilywhites will take that risk in January or instead seek a more affordable, short-term solution to their attacking woes.
