Euro Paper Talk: Chelsea academy graduate tipped to return in 2024 with eye-catching move; ‘hopeless’ Man Utd man offered new exit avenue
Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori pictured before Chelsea training
A former Chelsea player could return to Stamford Bridge next year to solve a key problem for Mauricio Pochettino, a Manchester United outcast has been given a new exit opportunity, while Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk includes a Brighton man ‘saying yes’ to a European transfer.
CHELSEA MAY REUNITE WITH STRIKER
Tammy Abraham might end up returning to Chelsea in summer 2024 if Romelu Lukaku shines at Roma, according to a report.
Abraham is a product of the Chelsea academy. He made his first-team debut in May 2016, before being sent out on loan to Bristol City, Swansea City and then Aston Villa.
After a deadly season with Villa, Abraham went back to Stamford Bridge in 2019. The Englishman scored 30 goals for Chelsea over the next two campaigns, helping them win the 2021 Champions League. However, he was then sold to Roma as a direct result of Chelsea spending a huge £97.5million on fellow centre-forward Romelu Lukaku.
But Lukaku has now followed Abraham to the Italian capital. TEAMtalk understands the Chelsea hierarchy told Lukaku he could be reintegrated into the squad if a transfer did not materialise during the recent summer window.
However, Lukaku wanted to go back to Italy and he has therefore joined Jose Mourinho’s side on a season-long loan worth £5m.
If the Belgium international manages to get back to his best at Roma, then he will likely keep Abraham out of the team. And Roma chiefs may be convinced to sign Lukaku permanently at the end of the season.
According to CaughtOffside, such a move would force Abraham to find a new club where he is guaranteed to be the main No 9. And the former Blues ace has already decided he will prioritise a return to the Premier League if Lukaku steals his place.
Chelsea may have only just signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, but there are already rumours about Mauricio Pochettino replacing him in January. Ivan Toney has emerged as one option, but talks for Abraham could also begin.
Abraham, Lukaku swap deal a possibility
Chelsea should be able to reduce the fee needed to sign Abraham by including Lukaku in the deal. It must be noted that Chelsea still have a £67m buy-back clause for Abraham, which was included in the original terms which took the goalscorer to Serie A.
Re-signing Abraham could be a great move from Chelsea, too. While Jackson is struggling due to his lack of experience in the Prem, Abraham already knows the league well and would not need time to bed in.
Given his close ties with Chelsea, the 25-year-old would also quickly adapt to his surroundings in West London.
CaughtOffside state that Villa and West Ham will try to rival Chelsea for Abraham, should he come onto the transfer market, but Pochettino’s side must be considered frontrunners.
FORGOTTEN MAN UTD PLAYER GIVEN BELGIUM CHANCE
Midfielder Donny van de Beek is in a ‘hopeless situation’ at Manchester United, but he could be rescued by Belgian side Royal Antwerp as they have registered their interest in him. (NOS)
Brest sporting director Gregory Lorenzi has revealed his club were offered the chance to sign Mason Greenwood on loan from Man Utd. But he ‘didn’t consider it for a second’ due to the controversy surrounding the player, as well as his huge salary. (Le Telegramme)
Liverpool considered letting Darwin Nunez leave Anfield as part of a swap deal for Joao Felix in the summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
Willian was very tempted by the opportunity to leave Fulham for Saudi Arabian team Al Shabab. The transfer did not reach completion though as Al Shabab failed to strike a deal with Fulham. (IG Esporte)
Bayern officials are growing frustrated with manager Thomas Tuchel over his negativity when speaking about their transfer dealings. Tuchel has complained about the failure to land Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, but Bayern feel they did everything they could to complete the transfer. (Bild)
BRIGHTON EXIT RAMPS UP
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate has ‘said yes’ to a Standard Liege move and could fly to Belgium today (Wednesday) if an agreement is reached between the two clubs. (Sacha Tavolieri)
That comes after TEAMtalk exclusively reported on Tuesday that Alzate is being lined up for a Belgium return, with Club Brugge among those interested. But it is now Standard Liege leading the charge.
Former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba will reject a lucrative offer to join Saudi giants Al Ittihad as he wants to remain at Juventus and fight for a starting place. (Fabrizio Romano)
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is on loan at Real Madrid from Chelsea, has said that he left England as Pochettino’s project ‘was not right’. (COPE)
Man Utd winger Jadon Sancho has received an offer to head to Saudi Arabia amid his rift with Erik ten Hag. Sancho is not considering terminating his Man Utd contract, though. (Rudy Galetti and Florian Plettenberg)
