Transfer News: Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham eyeing future return to Stamford Bridge
According to Friday’s paper edition of Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t Daily Star), former Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham has said he ‘would like to go home one day’ in order to conquer the Premier League. The striker moved to AS Roma last summer, with the Blues agreeing on a permanent move for their academy graduate.
Abraham’s move to Italy has seen him link up with former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach seems to have reignited the youngster’s career in Serie A, with the striker leading the line for his new club and turning into their first-choice forward.
It has now been reported that Abraham wants to return to Chelsea, with the club being able to activate the buy-back clause they inserted in the transfer deal with Roma in July 2023. Clearly, the Blues seem to have identified the Englishman as one for the future, given that they took the liberty to insert such a caveat in the contract.
Chelsea clearly seems to have got that feeling right, as the 24-year-old has excelled in Italy since his move last summer, netting 10 times in Serie A. The player has also proved his worth on the continental stage, scoring six times in six matches in the UEFA Conference League for Roma.
Chelsea return on the cards?
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel may have considered him surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho seems to have benefitted from that decision. Blues fans will be wondering why we let go of a talented academy graduate like Abraham, knowing what he is capable of during his time with the club, especially during Frank Lampard’s stint.
Despite the buy-back clause in his contract when the west London club sold him to Roma, it is reported that Chelsea will still need to pay around £72m for the England international, by the time the clause becomes active in 2023. Apparently, his impressive displays with Roma are the reason for the claim regarding the increase in his market value.
Chelsea’s sale of Abraham raised eyebrows given that the England international is a talented forward who had previously contributed to multiple goals for the club. His performances under Lampard proved that the Cobham graduate has what it takes to survive in the Premier League.
The Blues put these doubts to rest for a short while when they sold Abraham and brought in striker Romelu Lukaku to replace him in the same window. While Lukaku is on paper an upgrade, the big Belgian has so far struggled to impress at Stamford Bridge.
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Midway through the current season, this decision clearly seems to have backfired. While Abraham has set Serie A on fire with his consistent displays, Lukaku seems to be struggling in front of the goal and looks short of confidence. The difference could not have been starker.
However, any efforts by the Blues to re-sign the Englishman will not come cheap, given the valuation that the report states. Only time will tell if Chelsea are tempted to go in for Abraham when the buy-back clause becomes active. Given how Lukaku’s return is turning out, it remains to be seen if going back for a former striker is the best decision for the club.