Reports from Turkey suggest that Aston Villa's pursuit of striker Tammy Abraham is on the verge of a successful conclusion, with the transfer described as 'imminent' by sources close to the negotiations. The English club are said to be pushing hard to secure the return of the former Chelsea and AS Roma forward during the January window.
Transfer Details and Financial Negotiations
According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, via Sports Witness, Aston Villa have been engaged in detailed discussions with AS Roma regarding Abraham's transfer. The initial offer from Villa was reportedly set at €15 million, which was subsequently increased to €17.5 million. However, Roma are understood to have set their asking price at €20 million, with recent indications suggesting Villa may need to raise their proposal by an additional €2-3 million to meet the Italian club's valuation.
If these figures are accurate, the total transfer fee in sterling would amount to approximately £19 million for the 28-year-old England international. This development follows earlier reports from journalist Ben Jacobs, who stated on Tuesday 20th February that Abraham had already agreed to a move to Aston Villa, with Roma prepared to sanction the sale.
Abraham's Career Journey and Villa Connection
Tammy Abraham first rose to prominence through Chelsea's academy system, where he demonstrated remarkable scoring prowess with 74 goals in 98 matches across various youth teams. His professional breakthrough came during a loan spell at Bristol City, where he translated his youth form to senior football with impressive results.
The striker's connection with Aston Villa dates back to the 2018/19 season, when he enjoyed a sensational loan spell that saw him score 26 goals and play a crucial role in helping the club achieve promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. Since that successful period, Abraham's career has taken him to Chelsea, AS Roma, AC Milan, and currently Besiktas, where he is on loan.
Potential Impact at Villa Park
Unai Emery's interest in Abraham appears driven by the need to provide competition for established striker Ollie Watkins, particularly with Aston Villa facing a demanding second half of the season across three separate competitions. The Spanish manager is reportedly keen to strengthen his attacking options as the club prepares for multiple challenges.
Abraham's potential return to Villa Park represents both opportunity and risk. His previous success with the club at Championship level demonstrates his capability to thrive in the West Midlands environment. Furthermore, his Premier League experience includes a productive 2019/20 season with Chelsea, where he scored 15 league goals in 34 matches under Frank Lampard, helping secure Champions League qualification despite operating under a transfer embargo.
Recent Form and Injury Considerations
The striker's career has experienced notable fluctuations in recent years. After contributing to Chelsea's Champions League triumph, Abraham moved to Roma as part of Thomas Tuchel's squad rebuild. His debut season in Italy proved particularly successful, with 27 goals across all competitions helping Roma win the Conference League and reach the Europa League final the following season.
However, persistent injury issues have affected Abraham's progress since 2023. He missed almost the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign due to injury and struggled to make a significant impact during a subsequent loan spell at AC Milan. Despite these challenges, his current form at Besiktas shows promising signs of recovery, with 13 goals in 26 appearances suggesting he may be returning to his best level.
While the transfer represents something of a gamble given Abraham's recent injury history, there are multiple positive factors in his favour. His proven Premier League experience, familiarity with Aston Villa's environment, and current scoring form all suggest he could make a valuable contribution to Emery's squad if the deal reaches completion as anticipated.
