Aston Villa are poised to make a formal offer for Tammy Abraham, potentially hijacking AC Milan's pursuit of the striker, should Jhon Duran leave the club in the next two days, sources have revealed.
Abraham is understood to have expressed a preference for a return to Villa Park over other English clubs interested in his services, despite being in advanced talks with the Italian side.
Unai Emery's squad have been monitoring Abraham's situation throughout the summer, with the prospect of a reunion at Villa Park enticing the 26-year-old forward. While West Ham are also considering a late bid for Abraham, their pursuit hinges on the departure of Danny Ings.
However, the potential departure of Duran has sparked renewed interest from Chelsea, who could revive their pursuit of the young forward as revealed by Football Insider.
Sources indicate that Villa are willing to entertain Duran's exit if they secure a suitable replacement, with Abraham topping their list.
Abraham's move to Roma from Chelsea in 2021 has seen him grapple with injuries and inconsistency, despite netting 37 goals in 120 appearances for the Italian club. This has attracted interest from various clubs across Europe.
While AC Milan are pushing to complete a deal, Villa are confident that the striker will choose their offer if they can agree terms with Roma.
Villa's hierarchy are keen to reunite with Abraham, who enjoyed a successful loan spell in the Championship during the 2018-19 season, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances and helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League. A return to Villa Park could provide the platform for him to contribute to their Champions League campaign.
As the transfer window closes at 10pm on Friday 30 August, the potential movement of Duran will undoubtedly trigger a flurry of activity in the market. Should Chelsea fail to secure alternative targets, their renewed interest in Duran will heighten the pressure on other clubs.
Villa are also engaged in discussions to bring in a new full-back, further adding to the intense activity in the final days of the transfer window.