Newcastle United have entered the battle with Aston Villa to secure Porto striker Samu Omorodion in the final days of the transfer market.

That’s according to ex-Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected in football, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Eddie Howe is intent on finding a replacement for Alexander Isak.

The Magpies’ recruitment team have closely monitored the 21-year-old’s performances in domestic and European matches and believe he would be a strong addition.

 Football Insider exclusively reported on 13 August that Newcastle aim to table an offer for Samu and are prepared to intensify their pursuit of the Spain international.

Yet with Villa also highly keen on the player, Newcastle once more face competition to land one of their main forward targets.

Brown told Football Insider on 5 August that Aston Villa hope to sign Samu and will lean on Unai Emery and Monchi’s Spanish ties to advance talks.

Back in June, Brown first told Football Insider that Newcastle were watching Samu’s progress and considering an offer to boost their attacking depth.

The experienced scout, who spent over a decade recruiting for Man United during their most successful spell, stated the Spaniard has now emerged as a major late-window priority.

Samu is not Newcastle’s only striker target this summer, with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson still firmly on their shortlist.

 Football Insider reported on 12 August that Newcastle have joined the chase for Jackson alongside four other European clubs before the transfer deadline.

Aston Villa are also admirers of the Senegal forward, along with Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Juventus, as Chelsea hope to trigger a bidding contest.

However, Chelsea are said to be seeking £80million for the Senegalese star this summer, which would likely rule out most potential buyers.