Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Aston Villa should sign forward Tammy Abraham this summer to be ready for the Premier League next term.
Abraham was instrumental in Aston Villa earning promotion to the Premier League this season, with the 21-year-old scoring 26 goals in 40 games as Dean Smith’s managed to achieve promotion through the Championship play-offs.
The striker is due to return back to parent club Chelsea this summer, after his season-long loan at Villa Park comes to an end, but Villa are interested in re-signing Abraham in the transfer window ahead of their first year back in the top flight, according to The Telegraph.
Whelan believes that Smith’s side would be ready for the Premier League next season were they to complete a deal for Abraham during the summer transfer window.
“Villa will be a ready-made Premier League club if they sign Abraham. It’s no surprise they want him, but so do lots of teams,” Whelan told the Football Insider.
“He might be the number one for Dean Smith to target but he will be the first choice target for plenty of teams trying to sign a striker. He’s quick, powerful, his movement is great and he’s got a real eye for goal. He will be a real handful for Premier League defences next season.”
OPINION
Whelan is right to drool over Abraham’s quality and is right to suggest that the 21-year-old would add something extra to Villa’s squad that could make them more equipped for the Premier League next term. As with any newly promoted club, Villa will need to ensure they have got a striker up front who is capable of scoring enough goals to keep themselves secure in the top flight in their first season following promotion. Abraham could well be the striker to provide that for Smith’s side, with Villa already familiar with how to get the best out of the forward and creative players like Jack Grealish and John McGinn aware of the type of runs he likes to make. That means that Abraham would arrive ready to make an instant impact, rather than Smith’s side having to sign a new forward who would have to take time to adapt to his surroundings. Whelan believes Abraham, if signed, could make the difference for Villa next season and he could well be right, and Smith’s side will be hopeful of securing his signature this summer.