Aston Villa are believed to be closing in on another deal in January after reaching a verbal agreement and are expected to formally finalize the deal within 24 hours.
NSWE back Unai Emery with move to Aston Villa
Unai Emery has long been forced to battle against the constraints of PSR as he strives to build a top-level team capable of competing with the traditional big six, but NSWE appear determined to back their head coach this month.
Villa are one of the favorites to qualify for next season’s Champions League draw and are also out of the running for the Premier League title itself, but Emery is looking to strengthen his squad for a historic end to 2025/2026.
Donyell Malen’s move to Roma left the Villans with just a few spots left in the top flight, but a late-season injury to Boubacar Kamara meant they turned to midfield cover.
According to recent reports, Villa are considering a number of options for their engine room, with the signings of AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Club Brugge’s Rafael Onyedika and former star Douglas Luiz being linked in the last week.
Fabrizio Romano: Aston Villa could re-sign Abraham and another former star
The Villains could seal multiple reunions during this period.
Beyond midfield, Emery’s search for a new No. 9 to replace Ollie Watkins appears to be coming to an end.
Despite solid reports of interest in Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen and even PSG striker Gonzalo Ramos, the Midlands side appear to have snapped up priority target Tammy Abraham.
The 28-year-old, who finished the 2018/19 season with 26 goals for Villa after impressing on loan from Chelsea, is at the center of negotiations involving Roma and Bestikas.
Vestikas signed Abraham on loan with an obligation to buy last summer, but that clause was recently triggered.
But after complex negotiations with Turkey’s Super Lig side, Villa appear to have reached a compromise that will allow them to regain their former talisman and stage an emotional reunion.
Defender Yashin Ozcan was included as part of the player’s £18m part-exchange deal and add-ons, with Villa ready to sign the centre-forward after lengthy negotiations, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Aston Villa to officially sign Tammy Abraham ‘within 24 hours’
TalkSPORT and GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs, who shared another update on X this afternoon, says there is a “verbal agreement” between the clubs, although the deal is still awaiting final details.
Abraham has already shaken hands on personal terms and his return to Villa Park is expected to be formally confirmed within the next 24 hours.
Abraham will follow in the footsteps of Brazilian prospect Alisson and teenage striker Brian Maggio, but unlike the aforementioned pair, the January signings from Villa bring a wealth of proven experience.
Journalist Henry Winter said a few days ago that Abraham, who has scored against some of the best shot-stoppers in the world since joining the club at Stamford Bridge, would be a “bargain” signing for around £18 million.
“Tammy Abraham has scored goals from players like Alisson, Neuer, Sommer, Pope, De Gea, Meignan, Leno, Ramsdale, Szczesny, Vicario, Onana, Rui Patricio, Kasper Schmeichel, Dean Henderson and many others over the last 10 years and all the way,” Winter exclaimed in X.
“A great striker. It’s good to see Abraham back in the Premier League. €20 million is a bargain for a proven goalscorer who is 28 years old and has something to prove in a World Cup year.”
Premier League know-how and Villa familiarity could be invaluable to Emery, but it remains to be seen whether Abraham will be looking over Watkins’ shoulder.
Negotiations begin: Aston Villa press ahead with signing former Fulham star after receiving offer
They are said to be “moving forward.”
