Aston Villa is on the verge of making a bold move in the January transfer window, potentially eyeing a new striker to invigorate their attack. The question that lingers is whether Villa will soon regret their choice to sell Jhon Duran while opting to retain Ollie Watkins last January. This decision, which seemed courageous at the time, might be reconsidered as the seasoned England forward has struggled with his form now that he has turned 30. Thus, it's not surprising to speculate that Villa could be looking for a new center forward in 2026.
Donyell Malen, who recently joined Villa, has shown impressive goal-scoring capabilities this season after a rocky start at Villa Park. However, at 26 years old, he still needs to prove himself as a reliable scorer within one of Europe’s top leagues. During his three-and-a-half years at Borussia Dortmund, Malen only reached double digits in goals once, and in the 2024/25 season, he made just nine starts across all competitions before making his way to Aston Villa. With utmost respect for the club, it’s evident why Dortmund was willing to let him go and why no larger teams pursued him.
Therefore, it would be prudent for Aston Villa to target a young striker who not only boasts a proven track record of scoring goals but also possesses the potential to evolve into a comprehensive attacking threat, perhaps even surpassing Watkins at his peak. Fortunately, one such talent will become available in January: Franculino Dju from FC Midtjylland.
Franculino is set to become a nightmare for Premier League defenses. He has netted an impressive 20 goals in 24 matches for Midtjylland this season, competing in the Superliga, the Europa League, and the Danish FA Cup. In just a few months, he has emerged as one of the most exciting striker prospects across Europe.
Originating from Benfica's academy, Franculino initially struggled in Portugal but has since found his rhythm in Denmark, becoming nearly unstoppable this season. Not only is he regarded as one of the finest finishers in Europe, but he is also an exceptional dribbler, excelling in successful take-ons and advancing the ball into the final third during Europa League matches.
While he may not yet be a prolific assist provider, Franculino takes set pieces for Midtjylland and demonstrates significant work ethic defensively, ranking highly among his peers in tackles and blocks. In summary, he appears to have the makings of a complete player.
However, attracting Franculino to Villa Park presents a challenge for Roberto Olabe and Unai Emery. The young striker has garnered interest from nearly every Premier League club, and if powerhouses like Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur come calling, Villa's financial resources may not suffice to compete.
Additionally, David Moyes' project at Everton presents an exciting opportunity for Franculino, offering a clear path to first-team action, while elite clubs from continental Europe, including AC Milan and Bayern Munich, are also in pursuit.
Earlier this season, a price tag of £40 million was suggested for Franculino, although he may ultimately command an even higher fee. Nevertheless, for a striker capable of outshining Watkins’ contributions at Villa Park, this could prove to be a smart investment. If Franculino manages to replicate his stellar form from Midtjylland in the Premier League, his value could skyrocket to two or even three times that initial fee within just a few seasons.
