Everton target Armando Broja actively looking for new option after West Ham move stalls
Everton look to be back in the race for Chelsea striker Armando Broja after his move to West Ham stalled, according to Express reporter Charlie Gordon.
The Toffees were prepared to pay £30million for the young Albanian but looked to have lost the battle to the Hammers.
But with the Irons’ big-money move for Gianluca Scamacca reaching a conclusion while Broja’s situation was still bogged down by indecision at Stamford Bridge, the chances of him following the Italian to the London Stadium have taken a hit and he is now on the look out for alternatives.
Gordon wrote on his personal Twitter account: “Told that Armando Broja’s camp are now looking at other clubs after his move to West Ham stalled.
“Nothing advanced yet but Hammers blip doesn’t mean he definitely stays with Chelsea – whole situation up in the air.
“Newcastle and Everton interested.”
Back to square one
This is a qualified boost to Everton since it is certainly a positive that an apparently dead deal can potentially be revived.
Thomas Tuchel’s reluctance to let the 20-year-old leave saw him overtaken in David Moyes’ eyes by the big Sassuolo striker, but not much else has happened at Chelsea to convince the player to stay when it has been widely reported he wants to leave on a permanent deal, if that’s what it takes to give him regular opportunities.
Frank Lampard badly needs striker help to fill the gap that Richarlison left behind, especially with nominal candidate to step up in his place Ellis Simms appears to be set for another loan.
Clearly the manager has Broja high on his list of players who fit the bill, and the personal connection of having given him his Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge is surely worth something.
So on the player’s side, despite the threat of Newcastle, it seems to be one that has plenty of potential for success before the window closes.
It does however require the Chelsea hierarchy to work out what they are doing, which seems to be further away than ever as the manager fumes about not being ready for the start of the season.
The indecision at the club level is what looks to have ended his prospects of the West Ham transfer, so it could still do that for the Toffees, but if Lampard is serious about getting it done the door is swinging back open again.