Transfer Rumors: Aston Villa Favored To Sign Chelsea Striker As West Ham Backs Out

Amid Tammy Abraham's uncertain future with Chelsea, it looks like another English Premier League club is steadily becoming the frontrunner to land the England international--Aston Villa.

"We have been planning for this window as soon as the last window closed," manager Dean Smith said of his club's roster plans, per Birmingham Mail. "We have our plans and they will continue to evolve."

Since the club's promotion in 2019, Smith, along with sporting director Johan Lange and recruitment head Rob Mackenzie, has been dedicated to making the Birmingham side more competitive by securing signings.

Abraham, a former Villa loan himself, could be a difference-maker should a successful return happen.

The 23-year-old was enjoying a breakout season at Stamford Bridge prior to Thomas Tuchel's arrival, scoring 18 goals across all competitions in a key role for Frank Lampard.

He has since been sidelined under Tuchel, not starting in a match since February.

The unfortunate situation fuels speculations that Abraham might be on the move for the summer transfer window, and a return to Villa Park is definitely in the mix.

According to ESPN, the striker himself sees "appeal" in the prospect of returning to the club.

Abraham scored 26 goals in the 2018-19 championship season which spectacularly led Aston Villa to Premier League promotion.

West Ham United, another club that has reportedly signified intention in Abraham, ruled themselves out of the race instead due to the player's asking price of £40 million ($55.6 million).

"It would rule us out completely,” West Ham manager David Moyes pointed out. "So if that's the figure and that's what's being said, we are ruled out. We don't have that money, we don't have that to buy a striker at that price, no.”

ESPN added that contract talks between the Blues and Abraham have stalled since March. The striker has two years left in his Chelsea deal, and the club is "prepared to offload" him.

Aston Villa is 10th in the 2020-21 Premier League table, a vast improvement from its 17th place finish last year.

Making themselves busy in the summer point to the club's goal of becoming stronger and staying in the top-tier division for seasons to come.