Everton monitor Armando Broja in case of loan deal, face competition from Newcastle United
Despite recently signing a new long-term deal Everton are keeping a keen eye on Chelsea striker Armando Broja, according to Ben Jacobs.
Despite signing Neal Maupay in the summer, it seems Everton and Frank Lampard are still keen on bringing more attacking reinforcement to Goodison Park.
The Toffees were linked with Broja in the summer, and were battling Newcastle United and West Ham for the Chelsea striker’s signature [Liverpool Echo]. But, Broja stayed put at Stamford Bridge and recently signed a long-term deal with the Blues to fend off transfer speculation.
But according to CBS Sports journalist Jacobs, Everton are still “monitoring” Broja in case a loan deal becomes available. Frustratingly, so are Newcastle.
“Broja getting minutes under Potter. Everton and Newcastle still monitoring in case a loan (with no option) does become available. But it’s not something Potter or Chelsea are planning for right now even if other attackers come in,” said Jacobs.
Keeping options open
If Lampard does want to address one specific area in the January window, he’ll likely want to bolster his attack. Maupay is starting to settle down in Merseyside and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has returned to fitness to add an extra option, but there’s no saying how long he’ll stay fit.
Should Calvert-Lewin pick up another knock, then it leaves just Maupay and Salomon Rondon as the only natural options to Lampard. Maupay is still suffering from inconsistency after a recent move to Everton, and Rondon looks completely blunt and wasteful whenever he steps foot on the pitch.
So it does make sense why Lampard would want reinforcements, especially if it comes in the form of a loan deal.
Broja proved during his spell at Southampton that he can find the back of the net in the Premier League, and his pace offers something different up front should Lampard want to experiment with two up front.
It does seem unlikely to happen, but there’s no harm in simply following Broja’s progress and waiting for an opportunity. Lampard and Everton have put themselves in a good position to capitalise if Broja does decide to try his luck elsewhere.