Aston Villa Finalise £18m Deal to Re-Sign Striker Tammy Abraham
Aston Villa are poised to complete a significant transfer coup, with reports confirming a verbal agreement is in place to bring former favourite Tammy Abraham back to the club in a deal valued at approximately £18 million. This bold move sees the Premier League side secure the services of the experienced England international, while young talent Yasin Ozcan heads in the opposite direction to Turkish football.
Villa Officials Seal Agreement in Turkey
According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa officials have travelled to Turkey to finalise negotiations with Besiktas for Abraham. The 28-year-old striker, who last featured in the Premier League during the 2020/21 season with Chelsea, is set to return to Villa Park for the first time since his influential loan spell in the 2018/19 campaign. That season, Abraham played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to the top flight, netting an impressive 26 goals in 40 appearances.
The agreement includes a swap element, with summer signing Yasin Ozcan, a 19-year-old Turkish international, moving back to his homeland just six months after arriving from Kasımpaşa for a reported £6 million. Ozcan, who was loaned to Anderlecht this season without making a competitive appearance for Villa, is part of the arrangement that facilitates Abraham's return.
Emery's Strategic Attack Reinforcement
This transfer represents a strategic move by manager Unai Emery to bolster Villa's attacking options. With the departure of Donyell Malen to AS Roma earlier in the window, Abraham has been identified as the ideal replacement to provide competition and cover for star striker Ollie Watkins. The club faces a demanding schedule in the second half of the season, with ambitions in the Europa League, FA Cup, and a push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Abraham's arrival effectively fills the void left by Jhon Duran's exit twelve months ago, giving Villa a crucial second striker option. His proven Premier League pedigree and popularity among the Villa faithful make him a compelling addition to the squad.
Abraham's Resurgence After Injury Setbacks
The decision to pursue Abraham comes after the striker demonstrated a return to form with Besiktas, where he is on loan from AS Roma. This season, he has scored 13 goals in 26 games, showcasing his recovery from a frustrating ACL injury that sidelined him throughout the 2023/24 campaign. Prior to his injury, Abraham enjoyed a successful stint at Roma, helping the club win the Europa Conference League by scoring 27 goals in 53 matches during his debut season.
His overall career includes 30 goals in 82 appearances for Chelsea, underscoring his quality at the highest level. This track record has convinced Villa to invest in his experience and goal-scoring ability.
Impact on Future Transfer Speculation
This deal likely concludes speculation linking Aston Villa with other strikers such as Jean Philippe Mateta and Youssef En-Nesyri, at least for the current transfer window. However, it remains possible that the club could revisit these options in the future as they continue to build a competitive squad under Emery's leadership.
The signing of Tammy Abraham marks a significant step in Aston Villa's ambitions, blending nostalgia with practical squad enhancement as they aim for success on multiple fronts this season.
