Aston Villa told they must pay more than £60m for striker target

Boss Unai Emery is thought to be a big fan of the 21-year-old Spain international, who scored 25 goals in 47 appearances last season.

But striking a deal would prove far from easy, with Porto under no pressure to sell a player they bought from Atletico Madrid last summer.

Reports in Portugal have claimed Aghehowa has an £86m release clause in his contract and while that cost could be argued down, it would still take a considerable sum to prise the player away.

RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda is also on Villa’s radar but their hopes of doing a deal for either player would almost certainly rest on making a significant sale between now and the end of the transfer window.

Outgoings to this point have been limited to fringe players. Winger Leon Bailey was the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs at the start of the summer but no deal has materialised, while Villa are yet to receive a genuine offer for Emi Martinez despite the goalkeeper’s willingness to seek a new challenge.

Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is another player whose future has been under the spotlight. The 24-year-old, an unused substitute in Wednesday’s 2-1 friendly win over St Louis City, has been attracting interest from West Ham.