Aston Villa could now be preparing to sell Ollie Watkins to Newcastle United as transfer rumour emerges

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Eddie Howe still wants a new face in the striker department at Newcastle despite the signing of Anthony Elanga.

The Sweden international will add plenty of energy to the wide attacking areas at Newcastle following his £55m move from Nottingham Forest, but there remains a desire to sign a natural No.9 after the departure of Callum Wilson.

Newcastle wanted Joao Pedro before his £60m move to Chelsea, and the Daily Mail then claimed that the Magpies had held talks about Ollie Watkins after missing out on the Brazilian.

Now, murmurs coming from Aston Villa suggest Unai Emery may now be preparing to sell the England international.

Aston Villa putting ‘pressure’ on Porto over Samu Aghehowa

A Bola in Portugal now make some interesting claims about Aston Villa and the Spain international.

The Portuguese news outlet write that Porto have just moved to acquire the last 35% of Samu’s rights by sending an additional €12m (£10.4m) to Atletico Madrid, with A Bola citing ‘pressure’ from Aston Villa as the reason for this act.

To put it simply, it sounds like Porto are anticipating a sale, and wanted to ensure they receive the full transfer fee for the Melilla-born striker instead of having to split it with Atletico Madrid.

A Bola add that Emery actually wanted to sign Samu from Atletico Madrid last summer before his move to Porto, and knows the 21-year-old well.

The interesting development comes shortly after that aforementioned story from the Daily Mail, regarding Newcastle and Ollie Watkins, so the timing of Aston Villa’s latest show of interest in Samu could well prove telling.

Other striker options for Eddie Howe to consider at Newcastle

Watkins is not the only alternative to Pedro being considered by Howe.

TBR Football understand Newcastle have spoken to Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his contract expired at Everton, and a move to Tyneside might be more appealing to the England international ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup than it would be for Watkins if Alexander Isak stays put, amid interest from Liverpool.

Furthermore, the Magpies remain interested in Hugo Ekitike, but the Frenchman has an £86m release clause which Eintracht Frankfurt are currently holding firm over.

Therefore, it remains to be seen which striker Newcastle make a genuine push to sign, with several options on the table.