Daniel Feliciano

Wed 13 July 2022 10:10, UK

West Ham are yet to make any progress on a deal for Armando Broja and the Chelsea striker is set to fly out on the club’s pre-season tour now, according to David Ornstein.

The club have identified the Albanian international as their number one striker target [ExWHUemployee, May 10th] for this summer, and have made official contact [Daily Mail, July 4] with the Blues about wanting to do a deal.

However despite the 20-year-old initially being left out of Chelsea’s pre-season squad for their tour of the USA, a lack of major developments in any deal means he will now fly out to link up with his current teammates.

Everton are also said to be interested, with the Hammers leading the chase for his signature as they are willing to pay around £35m to do a deal.

But with no official bid yet made, Chelsea have opted to take a closer look at him instead of having him miss out on pre-season entirely while his future is sorted.

Problem

With news of a big bid for Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca on Tuesday night [Alfredo Pedulla, July 12], it’s possible that the Broja deal could be set to collapse completely.

That would explain Chelsea’s sudden change of heart when it comes to Broja’s involvement in their pre-season tour, and why the Hammers have moved on to other targets.

Broja shone while on loan at Southampton last season and David Moyes identified him quickly as the top target for the striker position that needs strengthening, and the player is said to be keen on a move.

But until West Ham submit an official bid it’s unlikely that this deal will move forward any time soon, and nobody is in a position where waiting is a good thing.

It’s seemingly now or never to get this deal done, but the Hammers have lost valuable time in their chance to complete a deal as the player will now not be in the country for a while for it to progress.