Key Takeaways:
- Aston Villa are working towards signing Tammy Abraham on a four-and-a-half-year deal, with Unai Emery ready to offload £50m worth of players to facilitate the move
- Donyell Malen is undergoing a medical in Rome ahead of a loan move to Roma, with an option to buy for £21m
- Evann Guessand, yet to score in 12 Premier League matches after a £30m switch from Nice, could be loaned to Besiktas
Negotiations and Financial Strategy
Aston Villa are advancing in their bid to bring Tammy Abraham back to Villa Park on a lengthy contract, as manager Unai Emery seeks to strengthen attacking resources across all competitions. Abraham, who previously excelled at the club during a Championship loan spell, is being targeted amid ongoing talks, with a proposed four-and-a-half-year contract under consideration.
The club are treading carefully in their negotiations, mindful of their current PSR (Profit and Sustainability Regulations) limitations. Additionally, Abraham’s contractual situation is complex; the forward is currently on loan with Besiktas, having initially joined from Roma, and the Turkish outfit have activated an obligation to buy clause. To help offset Besiktas’s potential loss, Emery could sanction the loan of a Villa player to the Istanbul side, particularly as Abraham has registered 12 goals.
🚨🟣🔵 Tammy Abraham has opened doors to Aston Villa move as personal terms are not an issue.
Villa, working on new striker after Malen left to join AS Roma — no agreement or deal done yet with Besiktas. pic.twitter.com/e8c0iZR8if
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2026
Squad Movements: Key Players In and Out
Evann Guessand is among the names set for a possible departure, despite making his Midlands arrival from Nice for £30m not long ago. The French forward, who is yet to find the net in 12 Premier League matches, is a candidate for a deal with Besiktas.
Meanwhile, Donyell Malen is on the verge of leaving Villa for Roma. The Dutch attacker, who has tallied 7 goals this season – placing him just one behind top scorer Morgan Rogers – is currently in Rome to undergo a medical. Malen initially arrived at Villa for £20m in January and is now set for a loan switch to the Serie A outfit, with the deal carrying a £21m option to make the move permanent.
| Player | Destination | Type of Move | Fee/Clause | 2025/26 League Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tammy Abraham | Aston Villa (from Besiktas/Roma) | Permanent (proposed) | Contract being negotiated | 12 |
| Evann Guessand | Besiktas | Possible loan | Bought from Nice for £30m | 0 |
| Donyell Malen | Roma | Loan with option to buy | £21m option (bought for £20m) | 7 |
Squad Depth and Transfer Market Activity
Ollie Watkins remains the focal point of Villa’s attack, rediscovering his form after a challenging opening to the campaign. Emery, though, is intent on adding a more physically imposing striker, with Abraham identified as a preferred solution.
Abraham had a standout loan spell in the 2018-19 campaign, scoring 25 times in 37 Championship matches to help Villa secure promotion. He later enjoyed a productive period with Chelsea, highlighted by an 18-goal season, before moving to Roma. There, he delivered his most prolific season under Jose Mourinho with a 27-goal haul but was hampered by serious injuries in the subsequent year and spent the last season on loan at AC Milan.
Further Squad Adjustments and PSR Considerations
The summer proved testing for Emery and Villa, with transfers completed late and the club operating within tight PSR constraints. Victor Lindelof has made a positive impression since his arrival, but Harvey Elliott’s loan stint is expected to end ahead of time. Villa are hesitant to activate the £30m clause that would secure Elliott permanently from Liverpool if he features in five more matches. Additionally, Jadon Sancho has joined the squad during the summer transfer window.
