God. Transfer season is already giving me heartburn and we're not even in June yet. The Villa rumor mill is churning at full speed, and this time there might actually be something to it.

I was chatting with my mate who works security at Villa Park last weekend (hey Dave, if you're reading this), and he swears the recruitment team has been huddled in meetings about strikers for weeks. Turns out he wasn't just blowing smoke.

The Portuguese Connection

Villa sent scouts to Portugal on Friday night to watch Porto's Samu Aghehowa tear apart Moreirense with a brace in their 3-1 win. The 20-year-old Spaniard (who changed his surname from Omorodion last November to honor his mum - actually quite sweet) has been absolutely on fire this season.

24 goals. Not too shabby for a kid who was playing youth football not that long ago.

I remember watching him against Benfica back in February and thinking, "this lad's got something special." Quick, clinical, and that rare combination of physical presence with technical ability. Reminds me a bit of a young Drogba, but with better feet.

Chelsea's Loss Could Be Our Gain

Here's where it gets interesting. Chelsea nearly signed him last summer for around £35m, but teh deal collapsed at the final hurdle. Porto swooped in with a clever structure - £12.5m for just 50% of his rights. Atletico Madrid still owns the other half, and they're reportedly ready to cash in this summer.

My editor bet me $20 I couldn't get confirmation from anyone at Villa about their interest. I lost that bet spectacularly. Radio silence. But actions speak louder than words...

What About Marcus?

Let's be honest. The Rashford loan has been... complicated.

When he's on form, he's brilliant. When he's not, well, we all saw that disaster against Brentford. And now with this hamstring injury likely keeping him out for the rest of the season, the £40m buy-out option is looking less appealing by the day.

Villa are currently paying nowhere near his full United wages. Taking on his entire salary plus that fee would mean committing over £100m for a player who'll be 27 this October. That's a massive financial commitment for a club still trying to establish itself as a Champions League regular.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Aghehowa would cost more up front - probably north of £50m given Porto's valuation - but at 20 years old, the economics make more sense. Spread that fee across a 5-year contract, factor in reasonable wages for a player his age, and suddenly you've got an asset that could either serve Villa for years or be sold on for profit.

Ollie Watkins turns 30 in December. I love the man, but football is brutal with aging strikers.

Unai's Masterplan?

I spent way too much time in 2018 analyzing Emery's tactics at PSG and Arsenal. The man loves a forward who can press from the front and create space for others. Aghehowa fits that profile perfectly.

Listen. I'm not saying this deal is done. Far from it. But when a club sends scouts multiple times to watch a player, something's brewing.

And Porto's Champions League hopes are dead in the water. They need cash. We need goals.

Sometimes transfers just make too much sense not to happen.

The Rashford Conundrum

Poor Marcus. Can't even play against his parent club on the final day if he recovers in time. That May 25th trip to Old Trafford would've been the perfect audition for his future - whichever club that might be with.

I feel stupid now for thinking Villa would trigger that buy-out clause. The signs were there all along.

Villa are moving on. Aghehowa is the future. And honestly? I'm here for it.