Aston Villa's pursuit of striker Tammy Abraham has sparked an emotional plea from Besiktas supporters, urging the on-loan forward to remain in Turkey. The Premier League club has reportedly intensified its efforts to secure a deal during the January transfer window.
Villa's Scouting Mission and Abraham's Message
Villa officials were said to be in attendance at Besiktas's 1-0 Super Lig victory over Kayserispor on Monday, intensifying speculation. Despite the ongoing rumours about his future, Abraham started the match. Following the final whistle, he took to Instagram with a seven-word message that resonated deeply with the fanbase: “Passion, fight, heart. This is just Besiktas.”
This post triggered a flood of replies from passionate Besiktas fans, many begging him not to depart. Responses ranged from “don't go, we love you Tammy” and simple pleas of “stay”, to more direct messages like “Tammy, don't leave us” and “No go to Aston Villa.”
The Permanent Clause and Besiktas's Stance
The situation is complicated by the terms of Abraham's initial move. The striker joined Besiktas on loan from Roma last summer, and it is understood that a clause to make the transfer permanent for 13 million euros has now been triggered. This development means any deal must now be negotiated directly between Aston Villa and the Turkish club.
Besiktas president Serdal Adalı addressed the speculation at the end of last week, making the club's position clear. “There is an offer for Abraham. We do not favour Abraham’s departure,” he stated. He confirmed interest from “another team from England” but added, “We don’t think of sending him somewhere.”
Potential Player Swap on the Table?
Adalı also hinted at the structure of Villa's approach, revealing that the offer did not include other players moving to Besiktas. However, he noted, “There are players that the technical staff want from Aston Villa. We conveyed it to them.” This suggests a potential player-plus-cash deal could be part of the negotiations, should Besiktas's stance soften.
The coming days will be crucial as the January window draws to a close. Abraham's heartfelt message and the fans' reaction have added a significant emotional layer to what is now a complex financial and sporting negotiation between the clubs.
