Abraham valued at £40m: Chelsea’s biggest academy graduate sales

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:39 CDT
• 4 min read

Tammy Abraham looks set to bring his 17-year stay at Chelsea to a close this summer.

The 6ft5in forward has fallen out of favour under new boss Thomas Tuchel, failing to earn a place in the starting XI since February.

West Ham and Leicester have both already been credited with an interest, and a potential bidding war would be good news for the Blues as they look to command a big fee.

According to the Telegraph, the 23-year-old is valued at £40m, double the club’s previous record for the sale of an academy product.

Here’s a look at who Abraham could overtake should he go for that sum.

Nathan Ake – Bournemouth (£20m)

Nathan Ake signed for Bournemouth in 2017 after a loan spell at the club the season before. The Dutchman never really broke through at Chelsea but played the following three seasons for the Cherries in the Premier League, where his solid form caused many to question whether his former side had given up on him too soon.

The Blues had inserted a release clause into Ake’s contract, but never chose to take up the option with an excess of defenders already at the club. The 26-year-old then secured a move to Manchester City last summer where he has so far failed to make a major impact – in part due to injury.

Ryan Bertrand – Southampton (£12m)

Ryan Bertrand is one of many Chelsea players that were sent on loan multiple times before ever getting a chance at Stamford Bridge. However, while it may have taken a while, the left-back can claim to have made a significant impact.

Bertrand started the 2012 Champions League final in Munich that saw the Blues become the first London club to win the competition. He may have only played 28 times, but the 31-year-old’s efforts will never be forgotten.

Bertrand has since played 191 league games for Southampton and has been the model of consistency in a team that has regularly overachieved.

Ola Aina – Torino (£9m)

Ola Aina played three times in Chelsea’s 2016-17 Premier League-winning campaign under Antonio Conte. But, loan spells at Hull and Torino followed, with the latter choosing to sign the full-back on a permanent deal.

Aina continued to impress in Serie A before earning a move back to England with Fulham after their promotion to the top flight. A key figure in former Blues midfielder and current Cottagers manager Scott Parker’s plans, the 24-year-old will likely stay with the club for years to come.

Bertrand Traore – Lyon (£9m)

Two years on loan at affiliate club Vitesse preceded a 2015-16 season that saw Bertrand Traore scored four goals for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink. The left-footed winger couldn’t keep his place in the first team, though, as he spent the next campaign at Ajax before his eventual sale to Lyon.

Aston Villa signed Traore after his three seasons at Lyon, and he has played a key role in consolidating their position in the Premier League. While inconsistent, the Burkina Faso international has ultimately succeeded, helping Villa up to 11th in the top flight this term after narrowly escaping relegation last time out.