Arsenal to offer ex-Chelsea star Abraham Premier League return

James Shearman

• Updated: 24 Apr 2022 14:48 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are hoping to give Roma striker Tammy Abraham another chance in the Premier League next season.

The Gunners look set to finish in the top four, qualifying for the Champions League, which would make them an exciting prospect for Abraham.

Manager Mikel Arteta had wanted to bring the Englishman to the Emirates Stadium 12 months ago, but he decided to leave Chelsea for Italy instead.

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Abraham scored 21 Premier League goals in two seasons at the west London club, but he has improved under head coach Jose Mourinho in Serie A.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has scored 15 league goals for a Roma side that sit in fifth position after 34 games played.

He also has five assists in all competitions which indicates an all-round improvement to his game.

As such, Arsenal see him as the perfect replacement for the outgoing Alexandre Lacazette.

A reported £50 million is set to be tabled, which would make for a significant profit on the £34m investment Roma made just a season ago.

Chelsea also hold a £68m buy-back option that can be activated in the next window, but they are not expected to do so.

Arsenal legend wants Abraham

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes the former Chelsea youth player would not only be a handy player for Mikel Arteta to call upon, but could prove to be the perfect signing this summer.

''Abraham reminds me of Emmanuel Adebayor, his physical presence in the penalty area,” he told Genting Casino.

''Abraham’s reaction when he arrived at Roma has been brilliant because he’s scored 15 [Serie A] goals and has so many assists, so he’s enjoying his football there.

''He went to Italy with the feeling of revenge for what happened at Chelsea. He’s not stupid, he will see what’s going on with the strikers at Chelsea with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, they’re struggling.

''So maybe he’s thinking, ‘it would have been worse for me if I had stayed at Chelsea’. He made the right decision and he’s having a great season with Roma.

''I’m pretty sure he wants to come back to England and he would fit perfectly at Arsenal because he’s a different player to Alexandre Lacazette with a different style, different physique and he’s a goalscorer.

''Even at Chelsea he was scoring goals, not as many as he wanted, but he’s 24 years old so he still has a lot to learn.''