Tiago Pinto has praised Tammy Abraham’s hunger and desire after the striker joined Roma from Chelsea, while speaking with his side’s in-house media, despite interest from Arsenal.
The Giallorossi confirmed Abraham’s arrival at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday for a fee of €40m (£34m). The fee includes add-ons based on his and the Serie A side’s performances while in the Italian capital, after signing a five-year contract.
The deal also features a buyback clause, which The Athletic report to be worth €80m (£68m). They add Abraham will also earn €6m-a-year (£98k-p/w) at Roma, up on his £70k-p/w Chelsea contract.
Arsenal also sounded out their chances of signing Abraham from Chelsea before he elected to join Jose Mourinho at Roma. Mikel Arteta drove the Gunners’ interest, and Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol notes the Spaniard was upset to miss out.
Roma CEO Pinto certainly seems glad to have beaten Arsenal to a deal with Chelsea for Abraham. He has effusively praised the forward after confirming the striker’s arrival.
“Despite still being very young, with a huge amount of potential to keep improving, Tammy has already played more than 200 games in his career and scored over 100 goals – and won a number of major trophies too,” Pinto said.
“Choosing to leave the Premier League, and the club he grew up at, demonstrates very clearly just how much he believes in this opportunity to develop his own game and show what he can do at Roma.
“Bringing in players that have such a hunger and desire to play for our club is hugely important in helping to build the identity and sense of belonging that is a fundamental part of our overall vision for this team.”
Is Arteta right to be upset at Abraham joining Roma, not Arsenal?
Abraham helped Chelsea to win the Champions League last season with one goal and two assists in five games. But he failed to feature past the group stage, as Thomas Tuchel’s arrival marked the downturn to his Blues career.
Now, Abraham joins Mourinho at Roma having seen Arsenal fail to agree to terms with Chelsea for his transfer. The Gunners’ failure upset Arteta, knowing the 23-year-old has experience and a strong record in Premier League and European football.
The six-cap England international offered a goal every 172 minutes over 22 Premier League appearances last season. He struck home every 148 minutes in 2019/20, too, as he found the net 15 times in 34 games under Frank Lampard.
Arteta will have wanted to see 2019/20 Abraham return at Arsenal if a deal was possible. Now, Pinto will want him to show great determination and drive in Roma colours. Having made the bold claim that Abraham left England as he believed in their mission more.
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