Aston Villa feel they may have a free run at Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham as Premier League rivals West Ham United cannot afford his £40 million price-tag, as reported by EuroSport.
If the England international can replicate the form he showed during that prolific loan spell at Villa Park in 2018/19, a £40 million fee suddenly won’t look quite so extortionate.
Abraham scored 25 goals in 37 Championship games under Steve Bruce and Dean Smith, firing the Midland giants back to the promised land and securing himself legendary status among the Holte End faithful.
“(Abraham is) unbelievable. I couldn’t believe how good he was with the ball for how tall he is. Loved playing with him,” Villa captain Grealish said during an Instagram Q&A last year.
Strangely enough, there’s an argument to be made that Abraham is more likely to be wearing claret and blue next season than Grealish.
While Grealish is expected to join Manchester City in a British record £100 million deal before the August 31 transfer deadline (talkSPORT), Aston Villa have emerged as the most likely – and perhaps only – destination for the wantaway Abraham.
Jack Grealish out, Tammy Abraham in for Aston Villa?
Villa believe that competition for the striker’s signature will be at a premium with fellow suitors West Ham turning their attention to other, cheaper targets, such as Paul Onuachu, Martin Braithwaite and Slavia Prague speed-machine Abdallah Sima.
David Moyes told Sky Sports in May that a £40 million fee would ‘rule us (West Ham) out completely’ in the race for Abraham.
But, while a £40 million price-tag has West Ham running for the hills, the same cannot be said of Aston Villa.
Emi Buendia’s status as Villa’s record signing is under pressure already, with Grealish’s likely departure set to hand Dean Smith a budget even King Croesus himself would be jealous of.
“I don’t think (Abraham) will go to West Ham United,” former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan said a few weeks ago.
“I think he’ll have different aspirations, with all due respect to West Ham.”
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