Man Utd and a golden opportunity to sign Samuel Aghehowa.
Man Utd are short of a pure number 9 as Zirkzee may leave the team. Samuel Aghehowa, 21, scored 36 goals in 56 games for FC Porto and has an £84 million release clause.
Manchester United have a crucial opportunity in the January transfer window: signing Samuel Aghehowa from FC Porto. The 21-year-old striker has scored 36 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions and scored a brace in the 3-3 draw against Man Utd in the Europa League. With a lack of depth in the number 9 position, he could be the missing piece to reshape the attack for Ruben Amorim's team.
Concerns about the number 9 and the Champions League goal.
Despite positive signs returning to Old Trafford, with a series of improved performances and contributions from new signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Man Utd still have a void in the center forward position. A year's absence from European competition is already disastrous; a scenario extending to two consecutive years is unacceptable for a club like Man Utd.
Notably, despite spending nearly £225 million on attacking options, only Benjamin Sesko is a true center forward who is integrating well into the team. Joshua Zirkzee is likely to leave, leaving Man Utd without backup options and lacking internal competition for the number 9 position — something most teams vying for European qualification have.
The Samuel Aghehowa File: Evidence from Data
Aghehowa is a standout young talent in world football. At just 19 years old, he scored 8 goals in 35 La Liga matches for Alaves, before exploding onto the scene in Portugal with 36 goals in 56 appearances for FC Porto.
The most compelling aspect came from their direct confrontation. In the dramatic 3-3 draw in last season's Europa League, Aghehowa scored a brace against Man Utd, showcasing his finishing instinct and ability to exploit space under high pressure.
Suitable for Man Utd's tactical needs.
Aghehowa possesses speed, physical strength, and the ability to score in many ways — from opportunistic finishes in the penalty box to those created after finding space himself. Former Atletico Madrid scout Javier Vidales described him as: “Aghehowa is not just a strong striker who holds up the ball and distributes it. He plays the role of two strikers: a target striker who draws defenders and a mobile striker who seeks space.”
That "two-in-one" quality is precisely what Man Utd are lacking. The 21-year-old can create direct competition for Benjamin Sesko, while also providing versatility when the team needs a target man or an attacking forward to exploit space behind the defense.
Market and costs: the time to act.
Aghehowa is attracting interest from big clubs like Tottenham and Aston Villa. He is reportedly valued at £84 million for his release clause. However, the possibility of negotiating a lower fee remains open if Man Utd act decisively in January.
Such a signing would not only fill the personnel gap if Joshua Zirkzee were to leave, but would also send a clear message about the ambition to return to the top, aiming for a Champions League spot this season.
Connecting needs with opportunities
The January transfer window is usually short of quality options. But Aghehowa is a rare exception: clear achievements, a promising age for development, and a convincing track record against Man Utd. With the need to strengthen their number 9 position to maintain progress under manager Ruben Amorim, this is a golden opportunity that Man Utd can hardly ignore.
