Aston Villa are ready to make their move for AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham this summer, according to reports.
What’s the latest on Aston Villa’s interest in Tammy Abraham?
As per Italian outlet Il Messaggero, the Midlands side are ready to move for the misfiring Roma forward and bring him back to a club where he enjoyed a successful loan spell at during the 2018-19 season.
The report suggests that the Serie A outfit are looking to offload the 25-year-old after a disappointing season and are in need to somewhat balance the books financially, with general manager Tiago Pinto set to demand a price of between €50-55m (£44m-£48m).
Whilst this price is potentially optimistic, a similar fee would see the Midlands outfit eclipse the club record £33m paid to Norwich City for Emiliano Buendia.
However, Villa sporting director Johan Lange will have to compete with interest from Manchester United, who will have a top-class centre-forward high on their list of transfer priorities this summer.
Why do Aston Villa want Tammy Abraham?
There is no escaping the fact that Abraham is having an underwhelming campaign in the Italian capital.
He has only registered six goals and three assists in 28 Serie A matches this campaign and was recently questioned by manager Jose Mourinho who claimed to DAZN that he “doesn’t have the same strong mentality” (via Football Italia) as fellow teammate and frontman Andrea Belotti.
However, one slow campaign should not detract from the sparkling form he showed during his first year in Italy or his impressive scoring record at Bristol City, Aston Villa and Chelsea during his time in England.
The £93k-per-week man enjoyed an excellent first season in Italy, scoring a team-high 27 goals in all competitions including nine in the inaugural UEFA Conference League as Roma won their first major European trophy.
In Serie A last term, Abraham led his side in goal-creating actions (14), touches in the attacking penalty area (173) and was second in the number of aerial duals won (78) – as per FBref.
Respected journalist Henry Winter described the Camberwell-born ace as “magnificent” after scoring the only goal in the Conference League semi-final second leg against Leicester City to send his side to the final.
Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece has suggested recently that a new striker to partner Ollie Watkins is at the top of Villa’s shopping list this summer, so manager Unai Emery could look to play the two Englishmen together next season.
Abraham is a proven goal scorer at Premier League level, managing 15 goals and three assists in just 25 league starts during his last season as a regular for Chelsea in 2019-20.
He would likely be able to readapt quickly to the style of play in the Premier League and, at 6 foot 2, would bring a physical presence to Aston Villa’s attack as well as his technical and finishing abilities.
At just 25, it is hard to argue how Abraham would not represent a shrewd signing for Emery at Aston Villa due to his goal-scoring ability, potential for growth, experience, and physicality.
As a long standing Villa fan it’s my opinion that Abraham would be a great signing for us. Ok he’s not having a great current season but we know that he has outstanding ability he’s an out and out number 9 which is exactly what we need and let’s be honest we now have a top manager that would undoubtedly bring out the best in him.
Already a fans favourite at Villa Park and he knows the club well he would slot straight in and be a brilliant asset for us. Personally I hope we can get this deal over the line.