Arsenal are said to be interested in signing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this month, but they could face stern competition for the 23-year-old.
According to the Telegraph, Aston Villa are interested in re-signing the England striker, who spent the 2018/19 season on loan with the Midlands-based club.
Chelsea are thought to be demanding £40million for Abraham 's signature - a fee the Gunners will be desperate to negotiate on.
But Villa, who have been very busy already this summer, are reportedly keen on rivalling Arsenal for the Blues striker - who struggled for game time under Thomas Tuchel in the latter stages of last season.
Abraham enjoyed a fine 2018/19 campaign in the Championship for Villa, where the striker scored 26 goals during his loan spell, helping Dean Smith's team earn promotion back to the Premier League.
The Chelsea forward described Villa Park as "home" during his time with the club, which could mean he is keen for a reunion with Smith.
Abraham also spoke about his relationship with John Terry, who recently left his role as Smith's assistant manager.
"I felt like here was home. It has been since I stepped through the door in August," the Chelsea striker told Aston Villa's official website, via Bleacher Report, in 2019.
"Everyone has made me feel so welcome. Obviously you have the gaffer and the likes of John Terry here. It feels like one big family. Everything is great here.
"Dean Smith and JT called me every day. They told me I'd continue to score lots of goals here and that they believed I could take us up.
"When someone believes in you that deeply, it gives you that confidence.
"You want to go out there every game and you don't just want to do the best for yourself – but for the staff, the coaches and everyone else," the England international concluded.
Abraham, more recently, spoke about his love of playing at the Emirates Stadium following his winning goal in Chelsea's 2-1 win against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in a pre-season friendly.
"I love coming to the Emirates," the Gunners target said to Chelsea TV. "Even if it’s only a friendly, I always love scoring goals. Luckily it was the winner again."
