Tottenham Hotspur are once again making headlines in the transfer market, and this time the focus is firmly on solving their long-running striker problem.
Reports suggest the club have made a huge £86 million offer for FC Porto forward Samu Aghehowa, a player widely seen as one of the most lethal young goal scorers in European football right now. It is a bold move that shows Spurs are ready to act decisively as they look to change the direction of their season.
The north London club were busy in the summer, bringing in big names like Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani in an effort to refresh the squad. Despite those additions, results have not matched expectations. Under Thomas Frank, Tottenham have struggled for consistency and currently find themselves sitting in mid-table, far from where they hoped to be.
Goals have been a major issue, and it has become clear that the team lacks a reliable, dominant number nine who can lead the line week after week.
That is where Samu Aghehowa comes into the picture. The 21-year-old striker has been outstanding since joining Porto from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024. His rise has been fast and impressive.
Last season, he scored 25 goals across all competitions, and he has already added 18 more this term. Those numbers have turned heads across Europe and placed him firmly among the most productive young forwards in the game.
Porto have always been clear about his value. They inserted a €100 million release clause into his contract and made it known that any club interested would have to meet that figure. For much of the year, that stance scared off potential buyers.
Now, however, it appears Tottenham are willing to meet that demand. Reports claim that Spurs are prepared to pay the full £86 million and have already made their intentions known.
A January move would not be straightforward. Porto are determined to keep Aghehowa for the remainder of the season as they push for domestic and European success. Unless the release clause is triggered, they have no intention of letting him go mid-season.
This puts Tottenham in a difficult position. If they truly want him now, they may have to pay the full amount without negotiation. Another option would be to agree a deal in principle for the summer, allowing them to secure his signature early and avoid a bidding war.
From Tottenham’s point of view, the urgency is clear. Richarlison has been the team’s top scorer, but questions remain about his long-term role. Kolo Muani, currently on loan, has struggled to make a consistent impact, and there is little confidence that his stay will become permanent.
Dominic Solanke’s ongoing injury problems only add to the uncertainty. For a club with ambitions of returning to the top end of the Premier League, this situation is far from ideal.
Aghehowa offers hope of a long-term solution. He is young, powerful, and clinical in front of goal. His movement, finishing, and physical presence suggest he could adapt well to English football.
An investment of this size would be a major statement, but it could finally give Tottenham the kind of striker they have been searching for since Harry Kane’s departure.
If Spurs are serious about changing their fortunes, this is the type of deal they need to make. Moving quickly could be key, because a player of Aghehowa’s quality will not stay under the radar for long. An £86 million fee is huge, but for a proven goal scorer with his potential, it may be a price worth paying.
