Tammy Abraham is set to go on a loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers, if reports by Sky Sports and BBC are to be believed.
Sky sources: @Wolves close to agreeing deal to sign Tammy Abraham on loan from @ChelseaFC. #SSN pic.twitter.com/xe8g6crkte
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 5, 2019
Tammy Abraham to @Wolves should be done next week. Fifa approval required first. That should trigger Chelsea recall.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 5, 2019
This is partially in line with previous reports, which claimed that Wolves were looking to sign Tammy permanently (or loan-to-buy to the tune of £18m). Those claims were debunked by Chelsea, but it would appear that the part about a loan switch from the Championship to the Premier League was correct (but no buy-option this time).
The move has apparently already received the blessings of FA and the Premier League, but not yet received the go-ahead from FIFA. It needs special approval because Abraham played for Chelsea in the Community Shield and thus, depending on whether that game is classified as a competitive fixture, has already represented the maximum number of two teams this season. But if FIFA agrees that the Community Shield is just a glorified friendly (which it is), then Tammy can move to another team.
It’s to Abraham’s credit that he fully lived up to expectations in his return to the second division, setting the Championship alight with 16 goals in 20 appearances, just as he did with Bristol City two seasons ago. Now, the trick will be to do better in his return to the Premier League than he did at Swansea City last season. Hopefully all this paves the way to a Chelsea role next season.
Dean Smith on Tammy Abraham's future: "It's his choice if he wants to stay at #avfc or not. I've told him to go with his gut-feeling.' The interest from Wolves has turned his head. Decision expected to be made in the next few days. He won't be involved tomorrow.
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) January 4, 2019
As for Villa, who had built their promotion bid around the 21-year-old up to this point, they will be hoping that their other strikers can now step up in Tammy’s absence.
“The decision is now with Tammy. We have a contingency plan in the building.
“I have got a player who has already scored 20 goals in this league in Jonathan Kodjia as No.9. I have a player I worked closely with at Brentford who scored 15 goals before Christmas in this league in Scott Hogan. I know I have got players in the building. Unfortunately they have not had the chance because we have a player who has scored 16 in 20 games.”
-Dean Smith; source: Birmingham Mail
So a slightly strange situation — and certainly not one that will further Chelsea’s relationship with Villa — but hopefully it works out for the best for all involved, especially Tammy himself (without whose approval, agreement (and may advocacy?), this move would not have materialized).