West Ham United are inching closer to securing the services of AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham, according to Gianluca DiMarzio.
The Italian club is open to selling the English forward this summer, with several potential replacements already identified.
Serie A giants AC Milan had shown interest in Abraham but never made a concrete move for him.
However, West Ham’s pursuit has gained momentum, with reliable sources indicating that the Hammers have made a considerable offer to Roma close to meeting the Giallorossi’s valuation.
Abraham’s high wages could be a problem, but ongoing negotiations between the two clubs suggest the Irons believe they can agree personal terms with the player.
Abraham was prolific during his time at the Cobham Academy, spearheading them to titles. He joined Bristol City on loan in the Championship in 2016/17 and impressed with 23 goals and four assists in his first season playing senior football.
He joined Swansea City on loan the following season in the Premier League and had a poor campaign, netting just five times. Another loan, this time to Aston Villa, followed, and he picked up the pace, scoring 25 goals.
His terrific campaign earned him a recall to Chelsea for the 2019/20 season, where he scored 15 goals under Frank Lampard in the Premier League. However, Thomas Tuchel did not trust him the following campaign and sanctioned his sale to AS Roma.
The 26-year-old had a terrific debut Serie A campaign followed by a poor one before a long-term injury sidelined him for most of last season. Upon his return to fitness, he is down the pecking order and will leave the club for game time and opportunities.
Abraham is not a bad signing for West Ham in the long run
Many might question the sense in shelling out funds to sign another centre-forward with Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio already on the books, but it could be a wise move.
The West Ham pair are entering the twilight of their careers, and Abraham gives the Irons a young successor waiting in the wings.
The Camberwell-born star can take his time to get acclimatised to Julen Lopetegui’s football without the pressure of having to deliver week in and week out before taking the mantle down the line.