Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have reportedly positioned themselves in the “box seat” to re-sign Tammy Abraham. The club describe their need for attacking reinforcements as desperate following Donyell Malen’s swift departure.
According to a new report from Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, the Midlands club have put the 28-year-old striker at the top of their list. They want him to fill the void that the Dutch international left after he recently finalised a loan-to-buy switch to AS Roma.
Aston Villa Lead Race for Tammy Abraham Following Malen Exit
Sources close to Villa Park suggest that Malen’s exit has significantly accelerated the club’s recruitment plans. This forces the hierarchy to act decisively before the February 2 transfer deadline.
Premier League rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest maintain a strong interest in the former Chelsea forward. However, Villa firmly hold the advantage. The report indicates that neither competitor has managed to displace Emery’s side as the “big favourites” for his signature.
Abraham currently plies his trade in the Turkish Süper Lig on loan at Beşiktaş. This temporary arrangement originally included an £11 million permanent option for the summer. However, Villa’s sudden vacancy has disrupted those expectations. The Premier League side are now pushing to cut that tenure short.
The complexity of terminating his current deal remains the final hurdle. However, the urgency from Villa Park suggests they will aggressively pursue a resolution. They want to bring the England international back to the club where he previously enjoyed prolific success.
Does Abraham Fit the Villa Puzzle?
The immediate question facing Unai Emery centres on whether Tammy Abraham represents the ideal solution to Aston Villa’s mid-season striker crisis. Malen’s departure strips the squad of a versatile forward who contributed goals and width. This places a heavier burden on Ollie Watkins.
Consequently, Villa require a frontman who knows the Premier League well. They need someone who can deliver immediate output without a lengthy adaptation period. Abraham fits this requirement perfectly. He has already endeared himself to the Holte End during a spectacular loan spell in the 2018/19 campaign, where he netted 26 times.
Tactically, the Englishman offers a different profile to Watkins. His strength in the air and ability to hold up play would provide Emery with a legitimate “Plan B” against deep-lying defences. Furthermore, he has experience in high-pressure environments, including winning European silverware with Roma.
This suggests he possesses the mentality required for Villa’s own continental ambitions. His recent injury record and the indifferent form he showed in Turkey warrant some caution. However, the reports mention a relatively low fee that makes this a low-risk, high-reward gamble. If Villa can extricate him from his Beşiktaş commitment, Abraham could provide the fresh focal point necessary to sustain their push for European qualification.
