West Ham United transfer news as Chelsea stance emerges on Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to reject any bids for striker Armando Broja this summer with West Ham United interested, according to the Evening Standard.
According to the report (14 August), the Albanian striker is now seen as part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans despite a radical overhaul of his squad at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Both the Hammers and West Ham are interested in Broja’s services this summer, with the Serie A giants wanting to secure a loan deal with a permanent purchase option but the Blues are keen to keep Broja at Stamford Bridge having built their squad with his return from injury in mind.
The Guardian reported on 6 August that the Hammers were hoping to use some of the £26m they received for Gianluca Scamacca to sign Broja, but any move could prove difficult following Chelsea’s fresh stance.
Up to the player
After failing with another project signing in Scamcca, it seems as though West Ham United are attempting another in Broja.
And given his lack of playing time since his 2021/22 loan spell at Southampton and recent long injury layoff, a potential move for Broja represents a huge risk for the East Londoners.
The appeal is certainly there to try and sign the exciting Albanian given his tremendous qualities and potential, but the same could have been said of Scamacca when he completed his £35m switch from Sassuolo last summer.
West Ham United simply keep making needless and thoughtless striker signings but Broja should he fulfil his potential could represent a risk worth taking but it is understandable that Chelsea want to keep him to ensure his development at the club after injury.
However, whether Broja will be okay with more limited minutes this season remains to be seen, especially with Chelsea not partaking in any European exploits and Pochettino favouring new summer signing Nicolas Jackson as his preferred striker.
The ball is in his court.
In other West Ham news, the club’s stance on another potential signing has emerged with the deal still yet to be complete.