Exclusive: Aston Villa well placed to beat Everton to signing after exit completed

Aston Villa are “desperate” to secure the signing of Tammy Abraham after letting Donyell Malen leave, sources have told Football Insider.

Malen’s recent exit to join Roma in a loan-to-buy deal has added a new sense of urgency for Unai Emery and Co. to get their move for the 28-year-old over the line as quickly as possible.

Everton and Nottingham Forest are also keen on Abraham, but sources have now indicated to Football Insider that Aston Villa remain firmly in the “box seat” to land their target.

Their pair of Premier League rivals are also pushing hard to add new strikers to their squad before their 2 February deadline, but they have not been able to usurp Villa as the “big favourites” to secure Abraham’s signature.

The former Chelsea frontman is currently midway through a loan spell with Besiktas, which had been set to become a permanent switch for around £11million at the end of the season.

Tammy Abraham wants Aston Villa switch

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Abraham wants to return to Aston Villa this month, after previously helping them to promotion to the Premier League during a previous loan spell.

The hitman struck 26 goals in the Championship during the 2018-19 campaign, and he even scored the winning penalty in the shootout against West Brom to send his team to Wembley for the play-off final.

Aston Villa are now trying to find a way of breaking Besiktas’ initial agreement with Roma in order to sign Abraham in the mid-season window, and the player’s own stance looks set to have a crucial say.

Abraham’s desire to return to Villa Park is seemingly set to make Everton and Nottingham Forest little more than also-rans in the race for a deal, while Besiktas also appear to be willing to co-operate.

Emery has had his eyes fixed on the ex-England international for several weeks now, and his side remain in a commanding position to get the deal done.

Ex-Villa Park chief ‘surprised’ by Tammy Abraham price

Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last week that he is “surprised” at the price that Abraham is going for this winter.

Wyness was part of the hierarchy at Villa Park during Abraham’s loan spell with the Midlands giants, and was keen to stress that he would be a strong addition for his former club in their bid to secure Champions League qualification.

The former board member has been taken aback by the fact that a deal could potentially be done for around the £11m mark, and as a result, he sees it as an impactful addition for the Villans.

Villa were recently beaten to the signing of Conor Gallagher thanks to a late move from Tottenham, and they will be keen to ensure that they don’t suffer a similar fate with Abraham.

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