Villa abort £40m Chelsea transfer as major Dean Smith doubt takes hold
Dean Smith has begun to have doubts over whether Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham would fit in at Aston Villa, a report claims.
The forward is one of several players who the Blues could offload to raise funds this summer. The writing was on the wall for the Englishman towards the end of the recent season; he did not make the squad for either the FA Cup or Champions League finals. Indeed, Timo Werner’s resurgence has not helped on that front.
As for how much Abraham would cost, earlier reports claimed that Chelsea want £40million.
Such a price tag ruled West Ham out of the race, with boss David Moyes categorically denying an approach for that sum.
However, reports last weekend said that Villa are preparing a £30million bid for the striker; boss Smith is also supposedly looking at a loan deal for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
According to Football Insider, though, Smith has now all-but pulled the plug on the transfer.
The manager has doubts over whether Abraham has it in him to be a ‘top-quality finisher’. That is despite the 23-year-old netting 26 goals in 42 games for Villa in 2018/19.
Indeed, that tally helped fire the West Midlands club back up to the Premier League from the Championship.
Abraham impressed in the first half of the 2019/20 season, netting 11 goals in 15 top-flight games under Frank Lampard.
However, he dropped off thereafter and only scored 12 goals this campaign. Nevertheless, that made him the Blues’ joint-top scorer alongside Werner, but proves Thomas Tuchel’s search for a new No. 9.
Villa given transfer task for striker
Football Insider adds that Villa will have to offload one of their own in order to fund a move for a new striker.
Wesley, the club’s once-record signing, will likely be that man after his struggles since joining from Club Brugge.
As for Chelsea, they also face decisions on the likes of Ross Barkley, Fikayo Tomori and Davide Zappacosta this summer.
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