Dean Smith urges Tammy Abraham to stay at Aston Villa and become a 'legend'
Dean Smith has urged Wolves target Tammy Abraham to stay at Villa and become a 'legend' by firing the club back into the Premier League.
The 21-year-old Chelsea starlet is expected to decide in the coming days whether to remain in the Championship or move elsewhere, with Molineux his most likely destination.
Abraham has scored 16 goals in just 20 appearances since joining Villa back in August and Smith is understandably keen to keep him.
But the Villa boss admitted: “There’s only one person who can make a decision and that’s Tammy.
“I’ve told him to go with his gut feeling. If it’s to stay at Aston Villa and become a legend – because he could be the one who fires us back to the Premier League – then I would be only too happy.
“He’s got 40,000 fans singing his name at the moment and that can only be a good feeling for a young 21-year-old lad.”
Chelsea have until January 14 to trigger a recall clause in Abraham’s loan agreement.
Wolves would like to sign the player permanently – though a loan could be an option – but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said he had not spoken to the London club about the player and was unaware of the Wolves hierarchy doing so either.
It is also understood the fact Abraham appeared for Chelsea in the Community Shield and also turned out for the London club’s under-23s would not prevent him from joining another club.
Smith continued: “I am led to believe Chelsea don’t want to sell Tammy in this window. I don’t honestly see the point of going somewhere else. He could become a legend here.
“I have had a chat with him (Abraham) because he is aware of the speculation. I have told him how I see it.
“He has asked me for my honest opinion on what I think and I have given it. I am led to believe the only person who will make the decision is Tammy.
“He has a really good family who will guide him in the right direction, whether that is to go out on loan or stay at Aston Villa. We firmly want him to stay here because we feel it is the right pathway.”
Abraham won't feature for Villa in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Swansea, as they don’t have permission to play him.
