Aston Villa told to sign Tammy Abraham as £48.2m transfer development emerges from Italy

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…

Alan Hutton would love for Aston Villa to re-sign Tammy Abraham and play the Roma striker alongside Ollie Watkins next season.

Abraham, 25, has been linked with a move to Villa by the Italian media this month with Il Messaggero reporting on 3 April that Aston Villa and Manchester United are “ready to sign” the ex-Chelsea striker, who’s been struggling at the Stadio Olimpico this season.

The 11-times England international has scored just six goals in 28 Serie A appearances and none in his last seven league outings in Italy.

Abraham spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Villa Park, helping to fire the Villans to promotion from the Championship with 26 goals in 40 appearances.

Hutton played alongside Abraham in that season and he’d be thrilled to see his former teammate back at B6 next season – even if a deal is expensive.

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Speaking to Villa News, Hutton said: “Tammy knows the club really well, he’s a great guy.

“I’ve played alongside him and I think the way Unai Emery plays, he’s got those two strikers who could play next to each other.

“You can have Tammy up there with Ollie Watkins off him, they could change and link up really well.

“Yes, it would cost a lot of money but you’ve got to remember he’s come from a big team in Chelsea, where he scored goals in the Premier League. He’s scored goals at Aston Villa and he’s scored goals at Roma so he’s been through a lot and he’s still young.

“If they can get hold of him for the right price, it would be an excellent move.”

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero claim that Roma’s general manager Tiago Pinto wants between £43.8million and £48.2million for Abraham.