The Evening Standard reports that Chelsea would reject West Ham United’s summer deal for striker Armando Broja.
Despite a summer squad revamp at Stamford Bridge, the Albanian striker is now in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, according to the report (14 August).
West Ham and the Hammers want Broja this summer, but Chelsea want to keep him after building their squad around his comeback from injury.
On 6 August, the Guardian claimed that the Hammers were intending to use some of the £26m they received for Gianluca Scamacca to sign Broja, but Chelsea’s new position might make any transfer difficult.
Player choice
West Ham United may try another project signing in Broja after failing with Scamcca.
East Londoners taking a chance on Broja is risky given his lack of playing time since his 2021/22 loan spell at Southampton and recent long injury layoff.
The youthful Albanian has great potential, although Scamacca’s £35m move from Sassuolo last summer was similar.
West Ham United keeps signing superfluous strikers, but Broja, if he fulfills his promise, could be a gamble worth taking. Chelsea wants to keep him to safeguard his growth following injury.
With Chelsea not playing in Europe and Pochettino preferring new summer addition Nicolas Jackson as his striker, Broja may have to settle for less minutes this season.
