(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 5 August 2025 9:47, UK

Aston Villa are plotting a move to sign Porto forward Samu Omorodion in the final month of the transfer window, according to their former senior scout.

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Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Villa scouts have been keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old.

However, there is a feeling that the deal would only be possible of Ollie Watkins is sold given the finances involved in getting the Spaniard out of Porto.

Football Insider revealed in March that Porto are demanding a “huge” fee for Samu despite being open to offers below the £82.5million release clause in his contract.

Villa’s scouting team, led by Monchi, have identified the striker is a key target to strengthen up front but it is currently considered a difficult one to pull off.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider in June that Newcastle are interested in signing Samu after his performances in Europe grabbed plenty of high-level attention.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Samu Omorodion.

(Credit: Imago)

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This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 3 August that Villa could let Watkins leave if they can line up his replacement in the market.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the club have been working hard in the background to identify potential additions.

“Porto’s striker Samu is one who has been on their radar,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s been playing in Europe and doing well in the Portuguese league, and that’s something Villa will have taken note of last season.

“They had scouts over in Portugal watching him so they’ll know all about what he can and can’t do.

“Monchi knows him inside out with those connections he’s got in Spain and he is certainly one of the options that has come onto Villa’s radar.

“Whether they make a move might depend on if they are going to lose Ollie Watkins.

“We’ve spoken before about the interest in him, but if he does leave, they can put that money towards signing a new striker like this Samu.

“If it’s a deal that’s going to be expensive for Villa, maybe they’ll go for it if they sell Watkins.”

Unai Emery is keen to strengthen his squad.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Amid the ongoing speculation about potential additions at Villa Park, the talk about Watkins’ future isn’t going away with a number of clubs interested.

Brown told Football Insider on 5 August that Newcastle have set their sights on Watkins in case their move to sign Benjamin Sesko falls through.

The England international is keen to become the first-choice number nine at St James’ Park, ruling out any suggestion that both him and Sesko could be signed.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 29 July that Newcastle have added Watkins to their list of targets as they prepare to lose Alexander Isak.

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