Tammy Abraham is on the brink of a new chapter in his football career as he prepares to leave AS Roma for Turkish giants Besiktas in a deal reportedly worth around €20 million. The 27-year-old English striker, who has been a prominent figure in Serie A since his move from Chelsea in 2021, appears ready to embark on this fresh challenge after a series of ups and downs that have marked his recent seasons.
Abraham’s journey has been one of early promise followed by hurdles that have tested his resilience. His debut season with Roma in 2021-2022 was nothing short of spectacular. He netted an impressive 27 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Roma's historic triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League. This performance cemented his status as a key player under then-manager José Mourinho and made him a fan favorite, heralded as the face of Roma’s ambitious project.
However, the following seasons saw a downturn in Abraham’s fortunes. The 2022-2023 campaign saw his goal tally drop sharply to just nine, a stark contrast to his previous exploits and a sign that challenges were mounting. The situation worsened dramatically in June 2023 when Abraham suffered a devastating ACL tear, sidelining him for nearly an entire year. Despite a commendable recovery that saw him return to action by March 2024, the injury had a lasting impact on his form and standing within the team.
In the summer of 2024, Roma sought to reshape their squad by signing Artem Dovbyk from Girona, signaling a shift in their attacking options. Consequently, Abraham was loaned out to AC Milan for the 2024-2025 season. At Milan, he managed to find some rhythm again, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. Still, Milan decided against making the move permanent, officially confirming Abraham's release from the loan in late June 2025.
With his loan concluded, Abraham’s future was uncertain until recent reports confirmed that Besiktas had reached a verbal agreement with Roma to sign the striker permanently. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano broke the news on June 29, 2025, revealing that both clubs had swiftly agreed on a €20 million transfer fee and that Abraham had accepted the move. This transfer is not only a fresh start for Abraham but also a critical financial move for Roma, who need to raise €13 million by June 30 to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
The deal has been corroborated by multiple reputable sources including Sky Sport Italia, Sport Mediaset, and Turkish transfer expert Ekrem Konur, underscoring the seriousness of the transaction. With paperwork being finalized, Abraham is expected to fly to Turkey imminently to complete his medical and officially join Besiktas.
Besiktas, who finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season, 33 points behind champions Galatasaray, are hopeful that Abraham can inject fresh firepower into their squad. The club has undergone significant changes recently, including the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager in mid-January 2025. Under Solskjaer, Besiktas notably defeated Galatasaray in March, signaling a potential resurgence.
Abraham will be joining a team led upfront by veteran striker Ciro Immobile, who was the club’s top scorer last season with 19 goals at the age of 35. Additionally, he will link up with fellow Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been with Besiktas since 2023, potentially easing his transition into Turkish football. The presence of Solskjaer at Besiktas might also have played a role in Abraham’s decision to move, offering a familiar managerial style and a chance to revive a career that has seen its share of setbacks.
Reflecting on his time at AC Milan, Abraham expressed his determination to overcome adversity. “When I saw Milan were interested in me I did nothing but wait, telling myself a thousand times that it was the place I wanted to be,” he said last year. “Physically I feel better. I am still recovering from my injury but I feel really good.” He acknowledged the importance of Roma in his career but also recognized the need for progression: “Wanting to leave Roma? No. It’s not that I’ve lost faith at all, but the fans know how important Roma are to me. But sometimes in life there are cases in which you have to move up a level, set the bar higher, and I have. I thought this was the right opportunity.”
Abraham’s move to Besiktas marks his third club since departing Chelsea, where he rose through the youth ranks before his transfer to Roma for €41 million plus add-ons. Despite flashes of brilliance, including three goals in 11 senior England caps, his career trajectory has been disrupted by injuries and inconsistent form. Turkish giants Galatasaray and Russian side Zenit St Petersburg had also expressed interest, but Besiktas secured the deal.
From Chelsea’s perspective, Abraham’s sale comes amid their own search for a reliable striker. After letting Abraham go in 2021, Chelsea signed Romelu Lukaku, who scored eight league goals before departing. Subsequent options like Kai Havertz and Nicholas Jackson have struggled to fill the void, prompting the club to invest £30 million in young striker Liam Delap. Some pundits argue that Chelsea might have been premature in selling Abraham, who could have been a physical, homegrown finisher the club needed.
For Roma, the transfer fee will provide much-needed financial relief, allowing new manager Gian Piero Gasperini to bolster the squad during the summer transfer window. Abraham’s departure clears space in the roster and helps the club meet Financial Fair Play requirements, especially after the collapse of the Angeliño to Al-Hilal deal earlier this month.
As Abraham prepares to take off for Turkey, the football world watches with anticipation to see if he can reignite the prolific form that once made him one of Europe’s most promising strikers. Besiktas fans will hope that the English forward’s arrival signals the start of a new era, one where the club can challenge more fiercely for the Turkish Super Lig title and make their mark on European competitions.
With the paperwork almost complete and Abraham ready to undergo his medical, the transfer saga is reaching its final stages. The move offers a compelling narrative of redemption and ambition, as a talented striker seeks to rewrite his story and prove that setbacks are merely stepping stones in a career still full of potential.
