Leeds United handed Tammy Abraham transfer blow involving Aston Villa | OneFootball

Abraham has been one of several strikers linked with an Elland Road transfer in recent weeks

Leeds United have been handed a blow in the race to sign Tammy Abraham this summer, with it being reported that the on-loan AC Milan striker is "very keen" on a return to Aston Villa.

That is according to a fresh report from Football Insider on Thursday afternoon, with the publication stating that Unai Emery's side are interested in acquiring the 27-year-old's services from AS Roma in the summer alongside other Premier League outfits, such as Everton.

Abraham is no stranger to Villa Park, having been one of the poster-boys of the Villans' eventual return to the top tier of English football in May 2019, as Dean Smith's side enjoyed a remarkable end to their three-year Championship stint, which saw them defeat Derby County in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The landscape of the B6 outfit has changed drastically since, with Villa securing their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 42 years with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the Round of 16.

It has been made no secret that Leeds are looking to add to their attacking department in the off-season, with an abundance of players linked with potential moves to Elland Road as United look to end their own top-flight exile, as they continue to lead the second tier with nine games remaining.

However, these fresh revelations will come as a blow to their aims of securing the England international's signature.

It was first reported by TBR Football that West Ham had shown an interest in signing Abraham as they look to replace the services of current loanee, Evan Ferguson, with Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Everton just four other sides monitoring Abraham's situation.

The same report also claimed that Daniel Farke's side are also doing the same, with Abraham intent on a return to the Premier League to boost his chances of featuring for the Three Lions consistently under Thomas Tuchel.

TEAMtalk then echoed such news that Milan have no intention of striking a permanent deal with their Serie A rivals, who Abraham joined for £34m from Chelsea in 2021, after scoring just eight times in 36 appearances for the 'Rossoneri' thus far, with Roma also extending the striker's contract until 2027 to preserve his valuation.

CaughtOffside have also stated that West Ham, Newcastle, Everton, Forest and Wolves have all "opened talks" with Abraham's representatives in order to front the queue in this particular transfer saga.

Meanwhile, Villa, who fended off interest from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins just after the €77m sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr, are already looking ahead to the summer market.

Reports state that talks are already underway to make Marco Asensio's loan deal from PSG permanent, as well as holding the option to sign Marcus Rashford for £40m at the end of the season, with both loanees having a strong impact in the Second City.

And, in a blow to Leeds and the aforementioned Premier League sides, it has now been reported by Football Insider that the Holte End's previous 26-goal hero could be returning to the club, six years after his initial loan spell.

Leeds United plotting moves for other strikers amid Tammy Abraham blow

Whilst it would have delighted Leeds supporters that a striker of Abraham's calibre could have donned the famous White and Blue if top-flight football was secured, he isn't the only frontman linked with a move to LS11, despite Joel Piroe's stellar individual season.

The likes of Callum Wilson, who remains out-of-contract with Newcastle United, has also been linked alongside Norwich City ace b, whilst reports from Africa Foot also claim that UD Almeria's Ibrahima Kone is on Leeds' radar amid a €10m release clause for the Al-Okhdood loanee.

Whilst the plethora of strikers linked to the West Yorkshire side is also going to generate plenty of discourse, that will not be at the forefront of Farke's mind at this moment in time with a season-defining set of games still to play.