Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Tammy Abraham, with AS Roma scrambling to retain his services.
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Tammy Abraham is a hot property in the transfer market at the moment, with top clubs lurking around him after a stellar season in Italy. Manchester United and Arsenal are battling to bring the 24-year-old Englishman back to the Premier League, but both clubs are set to face defeat in his pursuit, as he is believed to be happy in Rome.
Tammy Abraham has gone from strength to strength since joining AS Roma from Chelsea last summer. It would be an understatement to say the English international has hit the ground running in Serie A and has subsequently won his place back in the England squad.
The 24-year-old has created a record for the most goals scored by a player in his debut season in the Italian capital with 27 goals, 17 of them coming in Serie A. Not to mention, Abraham was a major driving force behind the Giallorossi’s UEFA Europa Conference League success, scoring eight times in 12 games to help fire Roma to their first major European honour in history, cementing his instant legacy in Trigoria.
Only three players – Ciro Immobile, Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez – finished ahead of the ex-Chelsea attacker in 2021/22 Serie A goalscoring charts. And Abraham’s exploits have not gone unnoticed back in his homeland, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly vying for his signature.
However, Roma manager Jose Mourinho is adamant about keeping hold of the striker and considers him an unsellable asset. The Serie A giants intend to protect their hitman, who still has more than four years left to run on his deal in Rome and will not entertain any bids for their prized asset in this summer, barring an irresistible offer.
Yet, their hands would be tied next summer, should Chelsea decide to activate an €80 million buyback clause for him to bring Abraham back to Stamford Bridge. The 24-year-old himself does not want to risk his berth in Gareth Southgate’s England squad by switching clubs in a World Cup year.
This comes as a major blow to his suitors Manchester United and Arsenal, who will now have to turn their attention to other avenues. Edinson Cavani has already left the Manchester United camp as a free agent, leaving the Red Devils short of striking options.
As such, Manchester United are expected to continue their pursuit of striker Evanilson, despite having their opening bid knocked back by FC Porto. At the same time, Anthony Martial is expected to return to Old Trafford following a dire loan spell at Sevilla.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are said to be getting closer to completing the signing of Gabriel Jesus, who will become their third outfield signing this summer after Fabio Vieira Marquinhos. Meanwhile, academy graduate Eddie Nketiah has been entrusted with a new contract at the club and could yet play a prominent role for Arsenal next season.
