Roma set price for Arsenal to sign former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Tammy Abraham, with AS Roma reportedly putting an €80million price tag on the English striker.

Abraham was deemed surplus to requirements at boyhood club Chelsea last summer, and courted interest from a number of clubs home and abroad including Arsenal, but ultimately opted to sign for Jose Mourinho’s side.

The £36million transfer has so far been a great success, with the England international netting 24 goals in all competitions so far this campaign.

This form has seen the Gunners rekindle their interest in the 24-year-old with signing a striker now the top priority for Mikel Arteta in the summer.

However, football.london reports that Roma want £67.5million for Abraham, a price that matches the buy-back clause Chelsea inserted in the striker’s contract when they sold him.

This is likely to deter any potential bidders including Arsenal, who will now likely focus on a move for Gabriel Jesus, after it was reported that the forward was open to leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Gunners’ technical director Edu has been in talks with the Brazilian’s agents over the past few months, with Arsenal very keen on new forwards following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the uncertainty around the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

Jesus, whose City contract expires next season, could be available for £35million, and would be a welcome addition at the Emirates having already scored 93 goals for the Citizens since 2017.

Once tipped as the heir to Sergio Aguero, Jesus has never quite looked able to match those lofty expectations, and the 25-year-old is said to be ready to move on because of the anticipated arrival of striker sensation