Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly plotting an ambitious double raid for former Chelsea talents, with striker Tammy Abraham emerging as a key target alongside midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Villa's Surprise Title Push Fuels Transfer Ambition
According to reports from The Telegraph, the Spanish boss is keen to strengthen his squad during the January 2026 transfer window to maintain Villa's unexpected challenge for the Premier League title. The club currently sits third in the table after 21 games, just six points behind leaders Arsenal, and remains active in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
It was recently revealed that Villa are exploring a deal for Conor Gallagher, who is also wanted by Manchester United. The England international is currently at Atletico Madrid, who have slapped a £35million price tag on the midfielder. This valuation could prove problematic for Villa due to their well-documented financial constraints.
Tammy Abraham: A Familiar Face in the Frame
Gallagher is not the only ex-Chelsea player on Emery's radar. The manager is also seeking attacking reinforcements and has identified Tammy Abraham as a potential solution. The 28-year-old striker is a product of Chelsea's Cobham academy and enjoyed a successful spell at Villa Park during the 2018/19 season, scoring 26 goals to help Dean Smith's side win promotion to the Premier League.
Abraham's career path took him to AS Roma in 2021 for £34 million, where he initially flourished, netting 27 times in his debut season and winning the UEFA Conference League. However, his form dipped afterwards, partly due to injuries. He regained some momentum with a loan spell at AC Milan and is currently performing well on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, where he has scored 12 goals in 24 appearances.
Significant Obstacles to a Deal
Any move for Abraham this month faces several major hurdles. Firstly, his loan at Besiktas is going smoothly and includes an obligation to buy for £11.2 million if certain conditions are met. Secondly, the striker's substantial wages of £115,000 per week could stretch Villa's budget. Furthermore, Abraham remains under contract with Roma until 2027, and Chelsea are believed to retain a £68 million buy-back clause on their former academy star.
It is also unclear if the 11-cap England international would be open to a return to Villa, where he would likely serve as backup to first-choice striker Ollie Watkins. With the club's financial situation tight and multiple complications surrounding both Gallagher and Abraham, Unai Emery faces a challenging task to secure his desired reinforcements this January.
