Exclusive: Pundit says Tammy Abraham could be waiting for Arsenal move

Carlton Palmer has hinted that Tammy Abraham might be holding out for a move to Arsenal.

The 23-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements under Thomas Tuchel despite featuring heavily for the Blues throughout pre-season.

Abraham’s most recent pre-season appearance was ironically at the Emirates against the Gunners – and he scored a late winner against the side he could be playing for next season.

Several Premier League sides have been chasing Abraham’s signature throughout the summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side the latest to register their interest in the striker, who’s scored 26 goals in the topflight.

Abraham had been Chelsea’s first-choice striker under Frank Lampard, but his career at Stamford Bridge quickly changed, with perhaps the final straw his absence from the squad for the Champions League final.

Arsenal themselves are likely to need another frontman with Alexandre Lacazette’s future in doubt, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not scoring the goals he once was in north London.

Asked what he makes of the interest from the Gunners, Palmer exclusively told This is Futbol:

“He needs to play football. Now, if his preference is to go to Arsenal, then fair enough. Obviously, his agent and the people looking after him, if he’s holding out for a move to Arsenal, then there must be interest from Arsenal.

“He’s obviously not in the manager’s plans in terms of starting at Chelsea. But he’s going backwards now, going to Villa on loan and coming back under Frank Lampard, so he needs to play.

“And if his preference is to go to Arsenal, then so be it.”