Sources: Aston Villa officials jet out to finalise Tammy Abraham deal
Aston Villa officials have jetted out to Turkey to continue negotiations with Besiktas as they aim to finalise a deal for Tammy Abraham.
The 28-year-old is currently on loan at Besitkas from Roma, and the Turkish club are seeking financial compensation to terminate his loan which had an obligation to buy.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Roma are willing to sell Abraham to Aston Villa, but negotiations are complicated.
There is a growing feeling that if terms can be agreed with Besiktas, the deal should be straightforward, but they have yet to reach a compromise.
Unai Emery is also said to have been frustrated by the negotiations as he had hoped to land a striker earlier in the January transfer window.
Aston Villa advancing in Tammy Abraham pursuit
Football Insider revealed on 20 January that Aston Villa are “desperate” to sign Abraham and are stepping up their efforts after Everton joined the race.
Emery gave the green light for Donyell Malen to join Roma and was keen for a replacement to arrive quickly, but drawn-out negotiations have delayed things.
Villa are now hopeful that negotiations with Besiktas will progress well and then Abraham’s return to Villa Park can be fast-tracked in the coming days.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “It’s a complex deal due to the contract situation involving Abraham, currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma.
“Roma are willing to sell, but the Turkish club had a purchase obligation as part of that loan deal, so that has complicated negotiations.
“Besiktas will be looking some financial compensation if they are to agree to cancel his loan deal.
“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.
“Their squad is a bit thin after letting Donyell Malen go to Roma, but it’s something they’re working on right now.
“Villa officials have been out in Turkey trying to negotiate it and get an agreement with Besiktas, and I think once that’s sorted then it’ll be a straightforward deal between Roma and Villa to get a deal over the line.”
Emiliano Martinez update emerges at Villa Park
While incoming deals are the order of the day at Villa Park, they are also at risk of losing at least one key player, although a January move may be unlikely.
Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 January that Aston Villa could cash in on Emiliano Martinez amid concerns about his inconsistency.
The Argentina international was heavily linked with a move away from Villa in the summer, and interest has lingered despite no agreements being reached.
There is now a growing feeling that Aston Villa could cash in on the goalkeeper, who is now aged 33, and look to bring in a new goalkeeper in the summer.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Man United remain keen on Martinez and could make a move should they be made aware of his availability.
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