Chelsea have received a ‘formal enquiry’ from Newcastle United over potentially signing Armando Broja this summer, according to reports.
The striker spent last season on loan at Southampton, where he scored nine goals in 38 appearances for the Saints.
It was his second spell away from the Blues, having spent the 2020/21 campaign in the Netherlands at Vitesse Arnhem.
Broja was able to get some much needed experience in the Premier League during his time on the south coast, with his performances attracting a lot of interest from sides all around Europe.
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According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle have made a ‘formal enquiry’ to Chelsea regarding the Albanian striker.
The news comes as the Magpies are believed to have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Reims forward Hugo Ekitike, despite a fee being agreed.
Eddie Howe’s side may now switch their attention to other targets should the deal not go through, with Broja being one of the speculated names.
It is believed that Newcastle will be willing to battle West Ham for the 20-year-old’s signature, with the Hammers being another interested side.
Broja’s representatives are reported to have been speaking to many clubs over a potential move in the summer, with other Premier League sides keen on making a move for him, as well as a host of Serie A clubs.
The Albanian international has returned from his loan at Southampton and will be preparing for pre-season training at Chelsea and, although he may not be the club’s starting striker for the upcoming campaign, a move away may not necessarily be on the cards.
It has been reported that Blues boss Thomas Tuchel wants to assess the striker in pre-season, and would not want the club to sanction a permanent deal until he has decided whether or not he fits into his plans going forward.
Kai Havertz was the Blues’ main output up front last season, with Romelu Lukaku struggling for form throughout much of the campaign.
He is now set to make a return to Inter Milan in a loan deal in the coming weeks, heading back to the club where he won the Serie A title in 2021.
The Belgian international ended last season with 15 goals in 44 appearances, having signed for a club record fee of £97.5 million last summer.
Chelsea are ‘not desperate’ to find a replacement for him this summer, with the club keen on signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
Topics: Chelsea, Armando Broja, Newcastle United, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Transfers
Robert Calcutt