Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has been touted with a move to Arsenal this summer in a deal worth £40million.
The Gunners frontline is set to change over the coming weeks with Alex Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah among the players available for transfer.
But how accurate are the reports linking Abraham with Arsenal and is there a chance he will sign for Mikel Arteta's side before the transfer window closes?
We caught up with football.london's Chelsea correspondent Adam Newson who gave further insight on Abraham's future at Stamford Bridge.
- Thoughts on the Abraham to Arsenal rumours? Does it make sense for you?
It does as Abraham was perhaps the biggest loser of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment at Chelsea. Not only did he lose his place in the team – he played only 17 minutes during the final three months of the season – but he was also regularly omitted from the match-day squad, including for the Champions League final. It’s not a secret either that Chelsea are keen on signing a new forward this summer and if the Blues are able to get a deal done for a certain Norwegian, Abraham would be third choice at best. He is too good for that.
- Do you think Abraham will leave Chelsea this summer?
It will largely depend on whether Chelsea can bring in another forward. I can’t see the club letting Abraham go if a big signing isn’t completed, especially as Olivier Giroud has already departed. There is, of course, the matter of another club meeting Chelsea’s asking price for the 23-year-old which currently stands in excess of £30million.
- What are Abraham’s best qualities?
He’s a goalscorer, plain and simple. If chances are fashioned inside the penalty area then there is a good chance that Abraham will be within the width of the six-yard box ready to finish. His hold up play has improved a lot over the past 18 months too, which is something he doesn’t truly get enough credit for.
- Has there been any indication from the player’s camp that he’s open to leaving?
Understandably given his current situation at Chelsea, nobody has ruled out a move away. Abraham is a boyhood Arsenal fan and would supposedly be open to a move to Arsenal, who are one of the few clubs who could match his wage demands.
- Do you think he’s better than any of the current forwards at Arsenal?
I wouldn’t say he’s a better forward than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose skill set is far more rounded and he has a lot more experience. But in terms of bringing goals to the side, I think a good argument can be made that Abraham would do that more than Alexandre Lacazette. Abraham has scored 30 open-play goals in the last two seasons, and that is without playing much over the second half of the previous campaign.
