Aston Villa are plotting a potential move to bring former striker Tammy Abraham back to Villa Park, as manager Unai Emery seeks to increase competition for star forward Ollie Watkins.
Villa's Striker Search Revisits Familiar Target
The club's interest in Abraham is not new. Villa identified the English striker as a target in the summer of 2023, but a serious knee injury scuppered any potential deal. Abraham suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the final game of the 2022-23 season for AS Roma.
Since recovering and returning to action in April 2024, Abraham's career has taken him on loan to AC Milan for the 2024-25 campaign. There, he made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals. This season, he is currently on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, where he has already hit double figures for goals, including seven in 17 Super Lig matches.
Addressing the Squad's Lack of Depth
Emery's desire for another centre-forward is driven by a lack of specialist cover. While Donyell Malen has deputised impressively at times, Watkins remains the only natural number nine in the senior squad. The need for a different profile of player to provide a tactical alternative is clear.
Abraham represents a distinct option from Malen and carries significant goodwill from the Villa faithful. He played a pivotal role in the club's 2018-19 promotion campaign, scoring 25 goals and providing 3 assists in 37 Championship appearances. His physical presence and proven goal-scoring in England make him an attractive proposition.
A Complex but Pursued Deal
Any transfer would be far from straightforward. Abraham's contractual situation is complex, as he is owned by AS Roma but currently playing for Besiktas on loan. This creates a multi-layered negotiation for Villa's hierarchy.
However, the complexity has not deterred Villa's interest so far. The club's admiration for the player, which dates back over two years to when Emery first sought competition for Watkins, appears to be stronger than ever. Villa could now look to intensify their efforts to secure their former academy graduate, aiming to bolster their attacking options for the challenges ahead.
