Chelsea’s Transfer Turmoil: Boehly Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Renewed Samu Aghehowa Pursuit
London, October 22, 2025 – Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest may have steadied the ship on paper, but behind the scenes, tensions are rising again. Sitting fourth in the Premier League with 19 points from 11 games, Enzo Maresca’s Blues are once more at the center of transfer controversy — this time over a possible January move for Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
Reports from The Chelsea Chronicle and A Bola suggest that Todd Boehly’s ownership group has reignited its interest in the 20-year-old Nigerian forward, a player they narrowly missed out on last summer. The proposed deal, rumored to exceed £50 million, has drawn fierce criticism, with Chronicle columnist Alex Keble calling it a “pointless move” emblematic of Boehly’s erratic spending since his 2022 takeover.
The One That Got Away
At 6’4”, Aghehowa has been compared to Victor Osimhen for his aerial presence and explosive pace. Chelsea came close to signing him in July 2024, before Atletico Madrid’s late price hike derailed the deal. Porto swooped in for €25m (£21m) — a move that has since paid off spectacularly.
The Nigerian striker has scored 14 goals in 15 league games this season, including a hat-trick against Boavista. His xG overperformance (1.2 per 90) and 72% duel-win rate have reportedly caught the attention of Manchester United and Arsenal, prompting Chelsea to revisit their old target.
Overcrowded at the Top
Chelsea’s forward line is already packed following a £150m summer spree. The club added Liam Delap (£30m), Pedro Neto (£54m), and finalized João Félix’s £45m return. With Nicolas Jackson in fine form — seven goals in 11 games — and Delap contributing four off the bench, critics argue that adding Aghehowa would be redundant.
“Boehly dodged a £51m bullet last year,” wrote Keble. “To revive it now would be pure ego. Chelsea’s PSR margins are razor-thin — this isn’t ambition, it’s recklessness.”
Financial Clouds Gathering
The Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) loom large over Stamford Bridge. Chelsea already paid a £10m fine last season for spending breaches, and their controversial internal sale of the women’s team to a BlueCo subsidiary remains under Premier League review.
Since 2022, Boehly and Clearlake Capital have spent over £1.2 billion on 35 signings, including costly misfires like Enzo Fernández (£107m) and Mykhailo Mudryk (£88m). While the new recruitment model has produced hits — notably Cole Palmer — fans remain frustrated by the lack of trophies.
Fan Frustration and Boardroom Fractures
The discontent has spilled into the stands. In March, 500 supporters staged a protest outside Stamford Bridge, chanting “Boehly Out”. Online, #BoehlyOut trended again this week, as memes compared Aghehowa’s Porto goals to Jackson’s equalizer against Forest.
Boehly’s off-field behavior — from his “All-Star game” proposal to pitch-side celebrations — has only amplified fan skepticism. The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson called him a “self-styled revolutionary teetering on failure.”
Maresca Focuses on the Present
On the pitch, Maresca remained calm after the Forest draw, praising Cucurella’s defensive display and Caicedo’s control in midfield. When pressed about transfers, he deflected: “We focus on now. Depth is strength, not weakness.”
Behind closed doors, however, sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley — soon to be joined by Dave Fallows — are reportedly advancing scouting reports on Aghehowa. Porto’s €60m (£52m) valuation could strain Chelsea’s PSR balance, especially if Champions League qualification remains uncertain.
The Bigger Picture
Boehly’s Chelsea experiment — a blend of youth, resale value, and global branding — has produced flashes of brilliance but little stability. Success stories like Estêvão and Garnacho are overshadowed by past missteps: the Lukaku fiasco, PSR loopholes, and boardroom clashes with Behdad Eghbali, who allegedly seeks to buy out Boehly’s stake amid redevelopment delays.
As Chelsea prepare to face AC Milan on Wednesday — a must-win Champions League fixture — pressure is mounting. From Los Angeles, Boehly watches as his multi-billion-pound project teeters between rebirth and implosion.
Keble’s closing warning resonates:
“Boehly’s under the microscope. One more vanity signing, and the revolution collapses under its own weight.”
For Chelsea’s restless supporters, the message is clear — they want silverware, not another shopping spree.
