Noel Whelan

Thu 8 December 2022 8:19, UK

Noel Whelan has suggested Aston Villa could give Tammy Abraham a route back into the England squad by offering him a return to the Premier League.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old “ticks every box” for the Midlands giants as they search for reinforcements.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (29 November), AS Roma are open to the idea of cashing in on Abraham after his struggles thus far in the 2022-23 season – with Aston Villa having a “concrete” interest.

Chelsea reportedly have a £67million buy-back clause in his contract – which becomes active in 2023.

Abraham enjoyed a loan spell at Aston Villa during the 2018-19 season, scoring 26 goals in 40 games to help them return to the Premier League.

Sources told Football Insider earlier this month (11 November) that Villa have set their sights on signing an A-list forward in January.

Gareth Southgate chose not to include 11-cap striker Abraham his squad for the World Cup despite him notching 31 goals in 73 games since joining Roma in 2021.

When asked if a Premier League return would help his chances of inclusion for the Three Lions, Whelan told Football Insider’s Charlotte Cohen: “I think it would, because it’d be more accessible for Gareth Southgate to see him play.

“But all the strikers included in the England squad are in better form than Tammy Abraham.

“I do believe that when a player leaves the English game, you can be out of sight in terms of the England national side.

“It’s harder to create that buzz and keep tabs on a player.

“I think that Aston Villa would be getting an extremely good striker if they went in for him.

“He leads the line as well as anyone, holds the ball up, brings others into play – he ticks every box.

“But if he comes back to the Premier League, that would do his international career the world of good.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Norwich City and West Brom plot moves for Aston Villa sensation.