By Phil Jennings
ANY hopes Villa have of persuading Tammy Abraham to return next season could be scuppered by German side RB Leipzig.
Abraham has scored 22 goals so far this season for Villa – the first to pass the 20-mark in the League since Peter Withe in the title winning season of 1980-81.
But the England Under-21 international will go back to his parent club this summer and he has already said he wants to build his career at Stamford Bridge.
England boss Gareth Southgate saw Abraham score against Blackburn Rovers – an indication that he could be a future Three Lions star.
But Leipzig also had scouts at Villa Park according to the Football Inside website.
And with German clubs looking to sign players who cannot get regular first team football in the Premier League, they may offer Abraham an option this summer.
Villa boss Dean Smith is resigned to losing Abraham unless they can win promotion via the Play-Offs.
If that does not happen, Smith does not see Abraham returning to the Championship after his spells at Villa and Bristol City.
Football Insider believes Abraham could be handed a more prominent role in the Chelsea side next season if they fail to have their transfer ban lifted this summer and he still has three years to run on his contract.
Villa Roar 