Exclusive: Tammy Abraham in Demand as Everton and Aston Villa Go Head-to-Head

Everton and Aston Villa are set to battle it out for former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this month. 

Our sources understand Villa are eager for the Roma striker to return to the club as they look to continue their fine season. 

Abraham was part of a double swoop for former Chelsea stars for Villa boss Unai Emery. But the club received a hammer blow when their move for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher was hijacked by Tottenham Hotspur.

And the club are desperate to ensure that curse does not strike again in their pursuit of English striker Abraham. 

But our sources have been told Everton are poised to pounce with David Moyes a huge admirer of the striker, who has been capped 11 times for the national side.

Villa are desperate to provide competition for Ollie Watkins, who has scored just seven goals so far this term despite the club flying high in third place, whilst Everton have goal woes of their own. 

It is understood Moyes' priority this window is bringing in a proven striker and Abraham fits the bills. 

There is also another link between Aston Villa and Roma, with Leon Bailey currently on loan in the Italian capital, though Roma are reportedly considering cancelling the deal as they look to recruit new attacking options. Bailey’s preference is to remain in Italy, however La Liga outfit Girona are currently the only club understood to be interested in taking on the existing loan.

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After scoring just one goal in his first 19 games this season, and three in 24, England hitman Watkins has bagged three goals in his last four Premier League outings in a welcome return to form. 

Emery hopes Villa have the upper hand when it comes to convincing Abraham to join the club given his status as a firm fan favourite.

During his 2018-19 loan spell, he fired the club to Championship promotion with 25 goals in 37 games. 

Villa were rebuffed in their approach to keep him after promotion and he went on to score 15 Premier League goals in 34 games the next season for Chelsea.

He moved to Roma in 2021 and scored 17 goals in 37 outings during his first campaign. 

But last season he was shipped out on loan to AC Milan and is currently in Turkey with Besiktas where he has netted 12 goals in 23 games in all competitions. 

There is reportedly an option to buy included in Abraham’s current loan deal with Besiktas, however our sources understand that if either Premier League club offers in excess of the agreed valuation, believed to be around €18 million, the deal can be overridden to facilitate a permanent return to England.