Aston Villa to announce Tammy Abraham deal – ‘This is how they got it done’
Aston Villa are closing in on the completion of their deal to sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas and his arrival could be announced within days.
Beskitas activated their £11million option to buy the striker, with Aston Villa then paying the Turkish outfit £18million to ensure the deal was beneficial to all parties.
While that deal proved more complicated than many would have liked, with Unai Emery having hoped to bring in a striker earlier this month, it is now close to completion.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Abraham had his heart set on a return to Villa Park and to Premier League football.
During negotiations, Villa were handed a boost in the knowledge that all sides were keen to reach an agreement quickly, with the player pushing for the move.
Aston Villa close in on Tammy Abraham deal
Football Insider revealed on 23 January that Aston Villa were accelerating talks for Abraham, as club officials had flown out to Turkey to thrash out a deal.
Shortly following that deal, an agreement was reached between all parties, and the striker has since flown to England to undergo the final stages of the deal.
His desire to return to Villa Park, where he was a fan favourite during his previous loan spell, is believed to have played a key role in securing the move.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “It’s been a complex deal due to the contract situation involving Abraham, on loan at Besiktas from Roma.
“There’s been a willingness from all parties to try and find a deal, Abraham has been clear he is interested in a move back to Villa Park and back to England.
“He enjoyed a very successful loan spell at Villa, helping them to win promotion from the Championship, and was a big fan-favourite there.
“Maybe it’s dragged on a bit longer than Aston Villa would have liked and Unai Emery would have liked, he would have liked Abraham in sooner than now.
“Villa officials have been out in Turkey to negotiate it and get an agreement with Besiktas, I think after that was sorted it has been a straightforward deal.
“As I said, the willingness from all parties to get a deal done has meant that Villa have been confident that they could agree a deal to bring Tammy Abraham back to the club.”
Emiliano Martinez update emerges at Villa Park
Despite ongoing speculation about incoming deals, Villa’s progress has been largely halted by financial restrictions, which may force them to sell players.
Football Insider revealed on 23 January that Aston Villa could sell Emiliano Martinez in an effort to raise funds amid growing interest from multiple clubs.
Inter Milan are being heavily linked with a move for the 33-year-old this month and may now be given confidence that they can reach an agreement.
This comes after former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Aston Villa are open to selling Martinez amid concerns about recent performances.
Inter Milan’s emerging interest, alongside that of long-term admirers Man United, could convince Villa to let him go sooner rather than later.
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