“I think it would be a clever signing…”: Aston Villa urged to re-sign “amazing” 13-goal striker

Besiktas' Milot Rashica and Tammy Abraham. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

Aston Villa remain firmly in the Premier League title picture, sitting third in the table and just six points behind leaders Arsenal.

However, a narrow 1–0 defeat to Everton last time out took some of the shine off what has otherwise been an excellent campaign under Unai Emery.

Off the pitch, Villa’s ambitions have also been tempered by financial limitations. Punishment for breaching PSR regulations has restricted their ability to spend freely in January, unlike several of their direct rivals. That reality has shaped their business so far, with the club opting for future-focused additions such as Gremio winger Alysson and 17-year-old Metz striker Brian Madjo.

Still, if Villa are serious about sustaining a title push and competing on multiple fronts, reinforcements in the here and now may be required. One former Premier League defender believes there is a smart solution available.

Ex-Wolves and England defender Conor Coady has suggested that a move for Tammy Abraham would make a lot of sense for Aston Villa this month, describing the potential deal as a “clever signing” for Emery.

Villa are understood to be in discussions with Besiktas over a possible deal for the 28-year-old striker, who Emery has admired for some time and previously attempted to sign. The Spaniard is keen to add a more orthodox No.9 to his squad following Donyell Malen’s departure.

Abraham, who was once labelled “amazing” by José Mourinho, has enjoyed a prolific season in Turkey, scoring 13 goals.

However, negotiations are complicated by clauses that could force Besiktas into a permanent purchase under certain conditions, making the structure of any deal difficult — even if personal terms are not expected to pose a problem.

“I think it’s a clever signing, a real clever signing,” Coady said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “I think that’s what Unai Emery does — he builds teams. We’ve seen what he has done for Ollie Watkins.

“I just think it is a really clever signing. Tammy will be desperate to come back home and get back to England.”

Abraham is no stranger to Villa Park, having spent the 2018/19 season on loan from Chelsea, where he scored 26 goals in 40 appearances and fired the club to promotion via the Championship play-offs.

Coady added: “We talk about clubs just underneath the elite, pinnacle clubs. If he has the chance to go there, I think it would be a clever signing.”

For Villa, Abraham could represent the ideal balance between ambition and pragmatism — a proven goalscorer, familiar with the club, and capable of providing the extra cutting edge needed to turn a strong season into something truly special.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.