West Ham United transfer development emerges after months of focus on Chelsea striker Armando Broja
West Ham are not expected to follow up their extensive scouting of Armando Broja with a move to sign him in January, according to Sean Whetstone.
The editor of Six Foot Two reported via Twitter on 2 January that the Hammers have instead moved onto other targets and the Chelsea striker is “unlikely” to be subject of an offer from the London Stadium.
The 22-year-old has scored once so far under Mauricio Pochettino after coming back from a serious knee injury but has largely been second choice to Nicolas Jackson at Stamford Bridge, with journalist Paul Brown telling GiveMeSport (1 January) that West Ham have been scouting him heavily for the winter window.
But Whetstone wrote: “Despite recent reports that West Ham have scouted Armando Broja extensively in recent months we understand that the Hammers are unlikely to make a loan or permanent bid for the Chelsea striker having moved on to other targets.”
The Albanian international came close to an Irons move two summers’ ago but it looks like that ship has now sailed.
Wrong place at the wrong time
Broja may be a more affordable option now than he was during previous windows as his progress has slowed amid upheaval at Chelsea and months out with an ACL tear.
But West Ham need to add an option up front who can contribute right away so the former Southampton loanee probably doesn’t fit the bill at this stage.
It is possible that Chelsea aren’t interested in dealing for anything other than a hefty permanent fee right now anyway so it would appear that this deal is off the table for the foreseeable future.
However, with Danny Ings still flattering to deceive and Michail Antonio continually linked to moving on, David Moyes surely does need at least one new man in up front.
The Christmas fixtures have been generally excellent for the Irons but the goalless draw with Brighton on Tuesday night illustrated the need for striker help once more.
Jarrod Bowen has proven to be an excellent goal threat but using the winger as a false-nine is far from ideal, and with Mohammed Kudus away at AFCON the quicker West Ham can get some help in attack the better.
In other West Ham news, a six-figure fee is set to be received with an exit close to being agreed reports Fabrizio Romano.