THE EAGLE HAS LANDED: Beşiktaş Issue €20m Ultimatum as Aston Villa Move for Tammy Abraham Hits ‘Critical’ Deadline Stage
By 247sportcity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
ISTANBUL – The winter transfer window has a new center of gravity as negotiations between Turkish giants Beşiktaş and Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa reach a fever pitch. At the heart of the storm is England international Tammy Abraham, the former Chelsea and AS Roma star who has spent the first half of the 2025/26 campaign rehabilitating his reputation—and his scoring touch—in the Süper Lig.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the Midlands and the Bosphorus, Unai Emery’s side has moved aggressively to bring the 28-year-old back to the Premier League.1 However, the “Black Eagles” are proving to be formidable negotiators, reportedly “cornering” the Birmingham-based club with a non-negotiable valuation that must be met if Abraham is to board a flight to Villa Park.
The Turkish Gambit: A Financial Masterclass
To understand the current tension in the boardroom, one must look at the unique financial structure of Abraham’s arrival in Istanbul. Beşiktaş pulled off a coup in the summer transfer window, securing Abraham from AS Roma on a complex deal:
- The Loan Fee: An initial €2 million outlay.
- The Obligation: A mandatory purchase clause of €13 million.
- The Total Commitment: €15 million.
Since arriving in Turkey, Abraham has looked like a man possessed. His physical presence and clinical finishing have made him an idol among the Beşiktaş faithful, but his success has inevitably drawn the eyes of English scouts. With Abraham reportedly expressing a strong desire to return to his homeland, Beşiktaş management—led by a savvy board of directors—have smelled a massive financial opportunity.
The €20 Million Line in the Sand
According to the latest reports from Fanatik, Beşiktaş have set a firm, immovable asking price of €20 million. For the Turkish side, this isn’t just about a transfer; it’s about a “clean profit” business model.
By holding out for the €20m mark, Beşiktaş ensures they recover their entire €15m commitment to Roma while netting a €5 million net profit in just six months. For a club operating in the volatile Turkish economy, such a quick turnaround on an international asset represents an elite level of transfer market maneuvering.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have spent the better part of the last ten days attempting to “soften” the stance of the Beşiktaş hierarchy. Unai Emery is said to view Abraham as the perfect “proven commodity” to bolster an attack that is chasing Champions League qualification. However, every attempt by Villa to negotiate the price down toward the €17m or €18m mark has been met with a polite but firm “no” from Istanbul.
[Table: The Abraham Deal — By The Numbers]
| Financial Pillar | Value |
| Beşiktaş Total Cost (to Roma) | €15,000,000 |
| Aston Villa “Opening” Offer | €16,500,000 |
| Beşiktaş Final Asking Price | €20,000,000 |
| Projected Net Profit | €5,000,000 |
| Contract Status | Player has agreed personal terms |
Why Unai Emery is “Cornered”
The tactical necessity for a striker at Villa Park cannot be overstated. While Ollie Watkins continues to lead the line with distinction, the lack of a secondary, physical “Plan B” has cost Villa points in tight matches since the New Year. Abraham, who previously enjoyed a legendary loan spell at Villa in the Championship—scoring 26 goals to help them achieve promotion—is more than just a target; he is a homecoming hero.
The Beşiktaş board knows this. They are aware that Villa’s recruitment team has identified Abraham as their primary—and perhaps only—viable January target with Premier League experience. This leverage has allowed Beşiktaş to remain “immovable.” As the deadline approaches, the English side is increasingly expected to cave to the demands, realizing that a €5m discrepancy is a small price to pay for a player who could secure tens of millions in Champions League revenue.
The Player’s Perspective: A Return to the Bright Lights
For Tammy Abraham, the move represents a full-circle moment. After his stint at Roma was hampered by a serious ACL injury and a change in managerial philosophy, the move to Turkey was seen by some as a “step down.” He has proven those critics wrong, scoring at a rate that has reminded the world of the striker who once led the line for Chelsea.
Sources close to the player suggest that while he has enjoyed the passion of the Beşiktaş fans, the lure of Unai Emery’s project and a return to the Premier League is too strong to ignore. He has already signaled his approval of the personal terms offered by Villa, leaving the final hurdle purely as a matter of “payment structure” between the two clubs.
The Final Hurdle: Payment Structure
While the €20 million figure is the headline, the current “decisive stage” of negotiations involves how that money is delivered. Beşiktaş, wary of future financial regulations, are reportedly asking for a significant portion of the fee upfront. Villa, mindful of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), would prefer to amortize the payment over several years.
However, with the “Black Eagles” holding all the cards, it is likely that Villa will have to meet the Turkish club’s terms on both the valuation and the timeline.
The 247sportcity Verdict: A Win-Win for All Parties?
On the surface, this deal looks like a rare piece of business where everyone wins:
- Beşiktaş: They get a few months of elite service from a world-class striker and a €5m profit for their trouble.
- Aston Villa: They land a ready-made goalscorer who knows the club, the city, and the league, providing the depth needed for a European push.
- Tammy Abraham: He returns to the most-watched league in the world, potentially putting himself back into the conversation for the England national team ahead of future tournaments.
As the “Black Eagles” hold the line, the footballing world watches to see if Aston Villa will blink. With the deadline looming, the expectation in Istanbul is that a formal announcement is now a matter of “when,” not “if.” The English striker is ready to soar, but his wings will cost the Villans the full premium.