ASTON VILLA have turned up the heat in their hunt to sign Tammy Abrahams with the Midlands giants reportedly ready to splash the cash.
The Mirror claims the Chelsea forward has been given the green light to leave with the player thought to be surplus to Thomas Tuchel’s requirements.
And Dean Smith is thought to be eager to give the forward, 23, a fresh start in his Villa side following his impressive season-long loan stint at the club from 2018 to 2019.
Back then Abraham netted 25 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions.
The London-born striker’s goals helped Villa gain promotion to the Premier League with the club triumphant in a 2-1 Championship play-off win against Derby County in 2019.
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And last term Abraham netted 11 goals in 30 appearances for the Champions League winning Blues.
But it is thought the player has fallen down Tuchel’s pecking order with the club reportedly open to selling SIX stars to fund a sensational swoop for Inter Milan goal machine Romelu Lukaku.
Villa could face competition to acquire Abraham’s services with West Ham and Crystal Palace believed to be keen on the forward.
However, the Mirror reckons Irons gaffer David Moyes has been put off by Chelsea’s £40million valuation.
And it is reported Villa chiefs would be amenable to stumping up funds to buy the player regardless of whether a £100m Man City move for Jack Grealish goes ahead or not.
Aston Villa have demonstrated their ambitions to become a Prem force to be reckoned with by making a shock move for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe.
Officials have had a £30m bid rejected by the Emirates outfit following a surprise opening offer of £25m.
The Mirror claims the club, who finished eleventh in the Prem last term, are keen to retain their captain Grealish.
The England ace had signed a five-year deal with Villa in September 2020.
It is thought Chelsea are anticipating a bid for Abraham who currently has six senior international England caps.
Should a £40m move occur it would see the Chelsea striker become the most expensive Villa signing since the side’s £34.5m swoop for former Norwich playmaker Emi Buendia.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk