Manager suggests £34m striker might depart, with Newcastle United and West Ham United expressing interest
Italian football, while not the dominant force it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, has recently attracted English players seeking new challenges.
Chris Smalling chose to rejuvenate his career in Italy by joining Roma from Manchester United in 2019.
Similarly, Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek left Chelsea to join AC Milan, and former Chelsea player Tammy Abraham teamed up with Smalling in Rome.
Although these players haven’t been frequent fixtures for England, they have established solid careers in Italy after leaving the Premier League.
Nonetheless, with Newcastle United and West Ham United pursuing Tomori, Abraham might also consider a move away from Italy this summer.
Daniele De Rossi, Roma’s coach, has commented on Abraham’s future. Abraham joined Roma in 2021 for £34 million and initially excelled, scoring 27 goals in his first season.
However, his performance dropped significantly during the 2022-23 season, where he managed only nine goals before suffering a torn ACL on the final day of the season.
After returning to action in April, Abraham scored just once in 12 appearances before the season concluded.
According to HITC, Abraham is contemplating a return to the Premier League, with interest from West Ham United, Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Leicester City.
Roma is close to signing Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, which could potentially lead to Abraham’s departure.
De Rossi has acknowledged that Abraham is a crucial player but admits he hasn’t seen the best of Abraham since taking over as Roma’s manager due to the injury.
De Rossi noted that some players desire more playing time and might need to move on, leaving the possibility open for Abraham to leave.
He stated, “Abraham and Bove’s future? Tammy is a strong player, an important player, and he could attract significant interest due to his recovery. I’ve observed him over the past six months, and he’s still coming back from a major injury.
We want to focus on strong players, and the same applies to Bove. I evaluate and observe them in training, consult with the director, and consider market opportunities and player demands, as they often seek more playtime.”
Abraham’s situation contrasts with the time less than two years ago when Arsenal was rumored to be interested in a £100 million move for him.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta was reportedly disappointed when the club couldn’t secure Abraham from Chelsea in 2021, indicating sustained interest from the Gunners. However, following Abraham’s dip in form and an extended injury layoff, his market value and attractiveness have diminished.
Despite this, Premier League clubs are likely to remain interested, and Abraham might be keen on returning to England to revive his career.
