AS Roma are determined to offload Tammy Abraham when the January transfer window rolls around, with the striker boasting a long list of potential suitors.
The Giallorossi came close to cutting him loose last summer with Aston Villa keen, but an unfortunate injury threw a wrench in their plans.
Abraham has not kicked a ball for Jose Mourinho’s side since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in June, leaving his long-term future at the club effectively dead in the water.
Calciomercato suggests Roma are plotting to include Abraham in a potential player plus cash deal to land Romelu Lukaku’s signature permanently.
Lukaku has enjoyed an emphatic start to life in Rome, but the Italian giants are looking for a way around his £37 million release clause, hence the plan to use Abraham as a bargaining chip.
Should Chelsea even consider a deal?
The prospect of a deal is as ludicrous as it sounds. However, it is understandable why such thoughts would formalise into a plan considering Abraham’s history at Chelsea.
The former Blues academy graduate steered Frank Lampard’s side to a top-four finish during the turbulent 2019/20 campaign, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 15 goals.
He struggled for playing time the following season under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel yet ended the campaign as the joint second-highest goalscorer with six goals.
Abraham notched 30 goals and 12 assists in 82 appearances for Chelsea before they decided to replace him with a £97m flop in Lukaku, who has proven to be a worthwhile investment for Roma, netting eight times in 11 appearances.
However, matching his release clause could be problematic for the cash-strapped Italians. But if Roma want him permanently, they should stump up the required fee to retain his services.
Goalscoring has been a major problem for the Blues this season, but Roma’s plan to add Abraham to ‘sweeten’ the deal for Lukaku makes absolutely no sporting sense – at least not from Chelsea’s point of view.
Possible destinations for Abraham
Roma seem determined to cut their losses on Abraham, but they will have to find somewhere else to pawn off their €40m striker that isn’t Stamford Bridge.
That said, several clubs could jump at the chance to snap up the England international, who remains a decent goalscorer despite his recent troubles.
Villa have previously been touted as a possible destination for the London-born striker, but the Birmingham club will do well to abolish those plans.
Abraham wouldn’t replace Ollie Watkins, and his potential arrival would stall the development of the impressive 19-year-old striker Jhon Duran, which isn’t worth it.
However, the ex-Swansea City loanee isn’t out of options, and we have highlighted three clubs that could be the perfect destination for him to relaunch his once-promising career.
West Ham United
West Ham United are yet to resolve their goalscoring crisis, forcing David Moyes to task Jarrod Bowen with leading the line on several occasions.
Michael Antonio has proven reliable in recent years, but he is not the goalscoring phenom West Ham need to bolster their European aspirations, and neither is Danny Ings.
Abraham may take a while to get up to speed after his concerning injury, but he could be the man to fire the Hammers toward the upper echelons of the Premier League.
Brentford
Brentford are preparing to lose Ivan Toney in the January transfer window, with at least three Premier League clubs lining up a move for the suspended striker.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been linked with Toney, who is expected to cost at least £80m, emphasising Brentford’s reluctance to cut ties with the striker.
If Toney leaves Brentford in January, the Bees could land Abraham as his successor, considering the Englishman has substantial Premier League experience from his time at Chelsea and Villa.
Fulham
Fulham lost Aleksandr Mitrovic to the Saudi Pro League during the summer, and his replacement, Raul Jiminez, has failed to open his goalscoring account in ten appearances this term.
Mitrovic left a huge goalscoring void in his wake, with Fulham boasting the joint-third worst attacking record in the Premier League this season, netting just nine times.
Carlos Vinicius has also failed to prove himself as a reliable goalscorer, opening the door for a potential move for Abraham, who bagged 17 league goals in his debut Serie A campaign.
