Aston Villa have been tipped to break their transfer record, for the second time this summer and the third time in less than a year, to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham for up to £ 40 million.
Villa have agreed a £ 28m deal to rise to £ 33m to sign the latest English international Ollie Watkins from Brentford in September last year and have already pledged £ 33m plus surcharge to buy playmaker Emi Buendia from Norwich this month.
In addition to already having Bertrand Traore, a fit again Wesley, Trezeguet and Anwar El-Ghazi available to manager Dean Smith in attacking areas, a report from The Athletic in recent days noted Villas’ desire to still sign another forward.
They are also said to remain hopeful that Jack Grealish will remain at the club, although Manchester City are very keen on the England star and could pay £ 100m for him after Euro 2020.
Villa wants a new future even though they have already spent a lot on Emi Buendia & Abraham can be a good opportunity / CLIVE ROSE / Getty Images
Villa have previously failed in an attempt to land the talented Arsenal kid Emile Smith Rowe. But with Abraham considered to be in excess of the requirements at Chelsea, there may be an opportunity to bring him back to Villa Park after a successful loan spell earlier in this career.
It was Abraham’s form with Villa in the 2018/19 championship, who scored 25 league goals in 37 matches, that made Chelsea give him a chance in their own group. However, he has failed to impress Thomas Tuchel and hardly presented during the second half of last season.
The Daily Mirror writes that manager Smith is keen for Villa’s transfer operations to be completed as early as possible, with the club prepared to offer up to £ 40 million for Abraham. As such, it is said that Chelsea expect a bid for the 23-year-old to be made “immediately”.
Abraham himself is believed to be open to returning to the West Midlands.
Abraham previously excelled on loan for Villa in the Championship / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
The striker actually started a promising start to his Chelsea career after returning from his loan spell at Villa 2019. He got the jersey number nine and went on to score 15 Premier League goals and 18 in all competitions during the first season.
There has already been interest in him from West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brighton in the Premier League and even Borussia Dortmund further away, with the Bundesliga side also keeping an eye on Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
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