Aston Villa's search for attacking reinforcements this January could see a familiar face return to Villa Park, with former loanee Tammy Abraham reportedly keen on a reunion. However, any potential move for the striker is said to be directly tied to the future of current forward Donyell Malen.
Abraham's Villa Ambition and Current Situation
According to reports, Tammy Abraham would be keen on a return to Aston Villa and is particularly interested in the prospect of working under manager Unai Emery. The 28-year-old striker retains a strong affinity for the Midlands club following his successful loan spell from Chelsea during the 2018/19 season.
Abraham is currently on loan with Turkish side Besiktas, who have already triggered an obligation to buy the player. Despite this, it is understood that an agreement between Besiktas and Villa to facilitate a transfer would not be problematic. The main hurdles for Villa are likely to be Abraham's significant salary demands and potential competition from other Premier League sides, albeit those closer to the bottom of the table.
The Pivotal Role of Donyell Malen's Future
The key factor in any move for Abraham is the uncertain situation surrounding Dutch international Donyell Malen. The forward, who joined Villa from Borussia Dortmund just 12 months ago, has become a fan favourite but has struggled to secure a regular starting position ahead of Ollie Watkins.
It is claimed that neither the club nor Malen has made a final decision about his future. Malen is aware of external interest, with Roma among the clubs linked. Villa's willingness to sanction a sale will depend on the offers received and the opinion of Unai Emery. Abraham is viewed as one of several options should Malen seek a departure this winter.
Villa's Broader Transfer Window Activity
Meanwhile, Aston Villa appear to have missed out on another transfer target, with Conor Gallagher on the verge of completing a £34.7 million move to Tottenham Hotspur. Reports suggest Villa had an offer on the table for the Atletico Madrid midfielder, but Spurs have proven more convincing to the Spanish club.
This development underscores the competitive nature of the January market as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season.
