05 March 2023 , 18:06
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Manchester United are interested in signing Tammy Abraham from Roma - but Chelsea have first dibs on the England international.
Abraham, 25, has scored 34 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions since leaving Chelsea for Roma in a £34million deal at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. The forward's prolific record helped Jose Mourinho's side win the Europa Conference League last season.
United and Chelsea are expected to sign a new centre-forward in the summer, and it is believed Abraham is on Erik ten Hag's shortlist. Yet the Blues are eligible to re-sign their former star for £67m - if Graham Potter and Abraham approve the deal.
If Chelsea boss Potter is not interested in re-signing Abraham, then United can make their move. It is unclear how much Roma would be willing to sell Abraham for if the Red Devils submit an offer, as he still has three-and-a-half years left on his contract.
As reported by The Athletic, scouts from Old Trafford have regularly watched Abraham in action this season to monitor his progress. United manager Ten Hag has been on the hunt for a new striker after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club by mutual consent in November.
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United signed Wout Weghorst on a six-month loan deal from Burnley in January, but that was just a temporary solution to Ten Hag's striker dilemma. Even if Weghorst does join United permanently, Ten Hag will still need to bring in a more prolific forward.
Tammy Abraham came through the ranks at Chelsea (Getty Images)Do you think Manchester United should sign Tammy Abraham? Let us know in the comments below!
Harry Kane is believed to be at the top of United's transfer shortlist. Yet the England captain could be a costly option, as he turns 30 in the summer and Tottenham chief Daniel Levy will demand a figure in excess of £100m. That may prove too much for United.
Another option is Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker, 24, has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season to fire his club within touching distance of the Serie A title. Yet other terms are interested in Osimhen - and he could be even more expensive than Kane.
Abraham is likely to be the cheapest option of the three and has a good record in England. The former Aston Villa loanee hit 15 Premier League goals during the 2019/20 campaign for Chelsea before falling out of favour with Thomas Tuchel the following term.
Chelsea might stand in the way of United's attempt to sign Abraham. If any club makes an offer for him, Roma are obliged to inform Chelsea. That could prompt the Blues to submit their own bid - or activate his clause - and bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea need a striker. They have scored just 24 goals in 25 Premier League games this season, with Potter often deploying Kai Havertz as a false-nine.
Abraham could also reject a move to Old Trafford. "I’m in no hurry to get back to the Premier League because I can express my way of playing here," he told Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport last July. "In Italy, I feel happy in every respect. I am not thinking about the future."