Yahoo News Tammy Abraham transfer twist as Aston Villa in £25m race
Aston Villa are trailing West Ham United in efforts to bring Tammy Abraham back to the Premier League, suggest Italian media.
Just one of many transfer rumours floating around Villa, it has been speculated the Englishman could make a return to the club he earned fan-favourite status with as a loanee aiding a successful promotion push. Abraham 's current club AS Roma are said to be in need of funds to comply with financial rules, whilst the striker's output has dwindled following an injury-hit year in Serie A.
However, they are not the only team in the running and are in fact reported to be second-best in efforts to seal this deal, according to La Gazetta dello Sport.
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The Italian publication believes it is West Ham who currently lead the push for Abraham, with the 26-year-old's 'fate back in the Premier League'.
He originally moved to the Stadio Olimpico from Chelsea for £34m in 2021. His first season was littered with goals - 27 to be exact - but the following year saw a return of only nine. Abraham suffered a devastating cruciate ligament tear in the final game of that campaign, then made only 12 appearances last term with one goal in that space.
Roma will reportedly allow him to leave for a hopeful fee of £25.2m, though concede the price could fall as low as £18.5m. They will also allow Romelu Lukaku's loan from Chelsea to elapse as they ease financial burdens before seeking out alternatives to both in the market.
West Ham are reportedly eyeing the ex-Chelsea man as they need reinforcements for Michail Antonio, who is due to depart the London Stadium with his contract expiring this month. Meanwhile Villa, they say, follow closely behind in the running as interest remains after the two clubs allegedly reached a £33.7m agreement last year before his injury.
Abraham scored 26 goals in 40 matches during his year at Villa Park, a time which he recently admitted was up there with the best in his career to date.
"It was probably my best experience [of all his loans]. It wasn't my plan to go from Prem to Champ, but looking back I have no regrets," he said. "It was an amazing club, I didn't realise how massive they were until I was there.
"The best thing was to have a great season and to have a promotion - it was probably one of the best moments of my career so far. I still watch every game and still feel the same love for them."
The latest report from Italy finally claims Tottenham Hotspur keep a close watch of the striker's situation, but have so far yet to act as their Premier League rivals have done.
