Unai Emery could feature in a new-look Aston Villa side at the end of January if he completes two new signings.
Villa remain in the Premier League title race after 21 games and are just six points behind leaders Arsenal.
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But after selling Donyell Malen to Roma after just a year at the club, they are looking for a striker to provide vital depth.
And they are increasingly confident of bringing back Champions League winner Tammy Abraham, The Pitch Prospect knows.
Abraham, who is still under contract with Roma, will have to cut short his current loan spell with Besiktas to move to Villa Park.
Villa are offering the 11-cap England international a four-and-a-half-year contract to return to the club.
The 28-year-old was on loan at the West Midlands from Chelsea from 2018 to 2019, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances to help them gain promotion from the Championship.
Abraham has scored 13 goals in 25 games for Besiktas this season after leaving Roma on loan last summer, but he will have to cut short his spell to secure a return to the Premier League.
Emery wants to have that extra striker in his ranks to replace Malen, while he is also thinking about adding a new midfielder.
He missed out on Conor Gallagher after Tottenham hijacked a nearby deal, but now he has his sights set on another target.
The Spanish coach is also looking at another Champions League winner in his home country: disgraced Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Ceballos was signed for Arsenal by Emery and is now being linked with a reunion after playing just 367 minutes for Real this season.
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How could Aston Villa perform?
If Aston Villa sign Abraham and Ceballos, they could work their way into the starting XI and shake things up for Emery’s side.
Ollie Watkins has scored seven goals in 21 Premier League games this season, but hasn’t always been in the starting line-up.
He has been benched several times so far this season and Emery hasn’t been afraid to substitute him during games.
Therefore, Abraham could claim some of his minutes and be in the starting XI on occasion, especially considering Emery has previously spoken about how difficult he finds playing with two strikers in his system.
He could lead the line in front of a talented three behind him – and Ceballos has a chance to join that three.
The former Gunners midfielder could end up being deployed alongside Morgan Rogers and John McGinn, also rotating with Emi Buendia and Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho.
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The Spaniard could also take on a more prominent role alongside Youri Tielemans as Villa struggle with injury problems in that area.
Amadou Onana has not played a game in 2026 due to a hamstring injury, while Boubacar Kamara is expected to be sidelined for an extended period.
He was substituted after nine minutes against Tottenham on January 10 with a knee problem and there are fears it could be serious.
The back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen appear to be solidified for now, with the new faces not impacting that area of the pitch.
Although Victor Lindelof and Lucas Digne remain great options to get into the starting XI if needed.
Emi Martinez will of course stay in goal – as long as he stays fit.
The Argentine was substituted at half-time last time out due to a calf problem but is expected to return to fitness soon.
How Aston Villa could line up with Tammy Abraham and Dani Ceballos
Education: 4-2-3-1
goalkeeper: Emi Martinez
defense: Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash
Defensive midfield: Youri Tielemans, Dani Ceballos
Attacking midfielder and winger: Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, John McGinn
Striker: Tammy Abraham