In a significant twist to the January transfer saga, the president of Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas has publicly outlined what it would take for Aston Villa to sign striker Tammy Abraham.
Besiktas Prefers a Player Exchange
Speaking to Turkish media on Friday, Besiktas president Serdal Adalı confirmed that his club has received an offer from Aston Villa for the former Chelsea forward. However, he made it clear that the Istanbul-based outfit is not actively seeking to sell the player during this winter window.
Adalı revealed a crucial condition for any potential agreement, stating that Besiktas would be far more receptive to a deal if it involved a player from Unai Emery's squad moving in the opposite direction. "There are players that the technical staff want from Aston Villa. We conveyed it to them," Adalı explained, indicating that the initial offer from the Premier League club did not include such a proposal.
Complex Negotiations Despite Agreed Terms
The situation is complicated by Abraham's current contractual status. The 28-year-old is on loan at Besiktas from Italian club AS Roma, with the Turkish side having already met the conditions to trigger an obligation to buy him permanently this summer.
Abraham has been in solid form this season, netting seven goals in 17 league appearances, which has prompted Villa's interest in bringing him back to the club where he previously played on loan. His potential availability increased after Roma secured the signing of Dutch forward Donyell Malen.
While personal terms with the player are not considered a stumbling block, the negotiations with Besiktas present the main hurdle. Adalı noted, "We do not favour Abraham’s departure... We don’t think of sending him somewhere." He also mentioned interest from another unnamed English club, further complicating Villa's pursuit.
What Happens Next for Villa's Pursuit?
This public statement from the Besiktas president sets a clear new direction for the transfer talks. Aston Villa's management must now decide whether to identify a squad member they are willing to include in a swap deal or to increase a cash-only offer to persuade Besiktas to sell.
The ball is now firmly in Villa's court. To secure Abraham's signature, they will likely need to return to the negotiating table with a revised proposal that meets Adalı's stated preference for a player exchange, or table a financial offer too significant for the Turkish club to refuse.
With the January transfer window approaching its final stages, this development adds a fresh layer of intrigue to one of the window's more complex potential deals.
