According to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United have intensified their interest in Chelsea youngster Armando Broja. They have tabled a bid of around €35m for the Albanian centre-forward, however, the Blues are yet to accept the offer amid interest from many other outfits.
Chelsea are hailed for scouting and acquiring young talents across the globe. They have a pool of prospects in their academy ranks and Broja is indeed one of the most notable prodigies who left an immense impact in senior football. A loan to their sister club Vitesse worked spectacularly during the 2020-21 campaign, but the spell at Southampton last season earned him the limelight and attention.
The young attacker spent a couple of years at Tottenham Hotspur before joining the Blues’ academy setup back in 2009. He eventually made his first-team debut in March 2020 as a late substitute for Olivier Giroud. The back-to-back loan terms were granted due to the lack of assured minutes in a star-studded Chelsea side and his emergence of late has caught the Hammers’ eyes.
Why West Ham United Are Keen On The Attacker
West Ham had a mixed year as they progressed to the semifinals of the Europa League but, at the same time, finished seventh in the Premier League. David Moyes would aim for more than a mere Europa Conference League spot, and therefore, anchoring their recruitment drive to bolster the current squad.
The Irons have tied down Alphonse Areola on permanent terms; also, the addition of Nayef Aguerd and Flynn Downes should improve them in terms of depth as well as quality in deep defence and the middle of the park. Apart from Broja, they are chasing the signings of Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca and Lille midfielder Amadou Onana.
Although they have quite a few stellar wide attackers in their ranks, Moyes is over-reliant on Michail Antonio to lead the line. Jarrod Bowen, Saïd Benrahma, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Nikola Vlašić are most effective from the flanks or as midfield attackers, and the necessity of a ‘number 9’ has been highlighted further, particularly after Andriy Yarmolenko’s departure. In spite of a sporadic role, the veteran Ukrainian made some key contributions as a makeshift centre-forward.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have failed to keep hold of their prized assets over the years. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Tammy Abraham and Patrick Bamford have shone elsewhere after leaving Stamford Bridge and it remains to be seen whether the Albanian follows a similar route if a deal is agreed in the due course of time.
