Aston Villa learn club-record bid will bring striker home as Unai Emery gets side into pole position
Aston Villa appear to have a good chance of signing Tammy Abraham for a second spell at the club, but have been warned that Roma will not just be giving the England international away.
Abraham previously played for Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea during the 2018-19 season. His 25 goals in the Championship were a major contributing factor to their promotion back to the Premier League, where they have remained ever since.
After his spell at Villa Park came to an end, Abraham got a chance with Chelsea, firing in double figures of goals in consecutive seasons. However, in 2021, the Blues decided to sell him to Roma.
Initially, Abraham took the new challenge abroad in his stride. Indeed, he broke the record for the most goals scored by a Roma player in their debut season with the Serie A side. It all culminated in a European trophy, as Jose Mourinho’s side won the Conference League.
Earning a recall to the England squad as a result, Abraham looked on course to make it to the World Cup. Ultimately, though, that has not happened.
Abraham’s form has been much worse in the 2022-23 season, which led to his omission from Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar. There are also now doubts about Abraham’s status at club level.
If Roma are to lose faith in him, Abraham could return to the Premier League. Chelsea will have a buyback clause for him worth €80million (£69million) in the summer, but look unlikely to activate it.
Instead, Aston Villa have been linked with Abraham in recent weeks. He could join the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in their attack.
According to Radio Radio, Abraham is “not happy” at Roma any more. Therefore, if the opportunity arises for him to leave, he would not be against a transfer.
Aston Villa, under the guidance of new head coach Unai Emery, seem to have pulled into pole position for the 25-year-old.
Tammy Abraham transfer value determined
To get him, though, they will have to pay more than £43million, because Roma want to make a profit on their club-record signing still.
Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: “Abraham leaves if Roma sell him. Last year they paid €45million, it’s right that they expect.
“If they bring €50million, Roma will sell him. Why do Roma have to give him away?”
Hence, bringing Abraham back might be a club-record operation for Aston Villa. They set their current transfer record in 2021 by paying more than £33million for Emiliano Buendia.
The question they must ask is whether Abraham would be worth investing so heavily in.
His previous successes at the club would make for optimism. That was in the Championship, though, and Aston Villa have higher ambitions these days.
With just three goals from 15 games in Serie A this season, down on an expected goals ratio of 7.23, Abraham has looked a shadow of his former self. He is certainly not an €80million player for Chelsea to think about, but is he even a €50million player at the moment?
That said, a change of scenery might do him some good. Abraham was fired up when he first joined Roma and the same might happen if he was to return to Aston Villa.
Therefore, he isn’t someone to rule out altogether. Villa will just be hoping they can strike a deal on inviting terms.
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