Former Aston Villa loan hero Tammy Abraham is at the centre of fresh speculation linking him with a dramatic return to the Midlands club, seven years after his pivotal role in their Premier League promotion.
Besiktas Exit Fuels Transfer Speculation
The rumour mill went into overdrive after Turkish Süper Lig side Besiktas confirmed that the 28-year-old striker had departed their mid-season training camp. In an official statement released on Friday, the club said Abraham had returned to Istanbul "with permission from our technical staff due to his wife's illness."
Abraham is currently on loan at Besiktas from Serie A giants Roma. He has netted 12 times in 23 appearances this season, though his team sits fifth, well adrift of leaders Galatasaray. His current deal includes an automatic purchase option set at £11.2 million, but only if certain conditions are met.
Villa's Striking Search and Financial Landscape
According to reports from The Telegraph, Aston Villa are actively considering a move for Abraham during the January transfer window. Journalist Mike McGrath states the England international is "on Villa’s radar" to provide support and competition for first-choice forward Ollie Watkins.
Any deal would need to navigate financial hurdles, including Abraham's reported weekly salary of around £115,000. Manager Unai Emery has recently outlined the club's cautious approach to the winter market. "We can sign players, only we can’t spend a lot," Emery stated, while confirming the club is alert to opportunities that could improve the squad for their ongoing Premier League and Europa League campaigns.
A Potential Fairytale Return to Villa Park
A move would mark a sensational return for Abraham to the club where he enjoyed the most prolific season of his career to date. In the 2018/19 Championship campaign, the then-Chelsea loanee fired Aston Villa into the Premier League with 26 goals in 40 appearances.
After two seasons back at Chelsea, he moved to Roma, where a strong first year was followed by a more challenging second. This led to a loan spell at AC Milan in the 2024/25 season before his subsequent switch to Besiktas. A return to Villa Park would see him reunite with a fanbase that still holds his promotion contributions in the highest regard.
