Ex- Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has sent a message to his former club Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of meeting Leicester City in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
The forward is set to return to English shores on Thursday evening, with AS Roma set to tackle Leicester at the King Power Stadium. It represents his first return to his home country since his £34m switch to the Italian capital.
Since then, the 24-year-old has found some stunning form at the Stadio Olimpico. His 24 goals in all competitions represents an excellent return and has secured his place in the club’s history books having surpassed Gabriel Batistuta’s record of the most goals scored in a debut season with the club.
Those displays have been noticed back in the Premier League, too. Arsenal have been linked with a swoop for the 24-year-old, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah looking likely to wave farewell at the end of the season.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for a number of other strikers including Victor Osimhen, Gabriel Jesus and more. Elsewhere, his former side Chelsea remain as contenders for his services in the future having slotted a buyback clause in the deal that took him to Roma.
It is reported that any deal could be worth up to £80m - albeit that option not becoming active until next summer. Ahead of taking on Leicester, Abraham has fired a message to his former side - as well as any interested parties - regarding how his game has progressed during his spell in Italy.
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Speaking ahead of the meeting in the East Midlands, he said: "We're going in strong, we're going in with belief and confidence. They [Leicester] play similarly to us in a way.
“They play counterattacking football. They've got very fast players who like to run. They've got good midfielders who like to find the attackers as well.
"We have to go into the game full of confidence. On our day, with confidence, we can beat anyone. For us, it's just about believing in ourselves.
"I'm going back to England. This is my game to show what I've come away to Italy to learn. I'm excited! I think my whole family will come."
Abraham has so far made ten appearances for the England national side since his senior debut in 2017. He still has over four years left to run on his current contract with Roma. Whilst he appears to have sent a warning shot ahead of taking on Leicester, he also expressed his affection for his current employers.
“On the first day I came to the stadium I just said,‘Wow!’ It’s an unbelievable feeling to step out onto the pitch with the fans roaring your name and roaring the team,” he continued. “They’re amazing supporters.
“From the first day I arrived, I fell in love with Roma, with the team, with the fans – I fell in love. They have made me feel like family from the off. Arriving at the airport and seeing fans there to welcome me was the first stepping stone.”
