Everton want Armando Broja from Chelsea as Southampton enter race for exit-bound striker
Everton face new competition to bring in Armando Broja with Southampton considering a move for the striker, according to TBR Football.
A report from Graeme Bailey on the outlet’s website on 1 June claims the Chelsea striker would be “keen” on a return to St. Mary’s with the newly-promoted side, having previously had a successful season there on loan in the 2021/22 campaign.
Wolves are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old who could be a candidate to move to the Middle East as the Londoners are in talks with the Saudi Pro League over a number of their players this summer.
Broja was previously a target at Goodison Park under Frank Lampard two years ago and he reportedly could now be leaving Stamford Bridge permanently during the transfer window.
Everton like striker despite miserable Fulham loan
Broja may have looked like he was potentially the next breakout star a couple of years ago after be followed up 11 goals on loan at Vitesse with nine more in all competitions for the Saints as a Premier League regular while still a teenager.
But with just three Chelsea goals in total over the past two seasons, a serious knee injury along the way, and a dismal loan at Fulham in the second half of last term where he barely featured, he seems like a player Sean Dyche can’t take a risk on.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future is up in the air with a year left on his current deal and an extension offered, while last summer’s two permanent transfers in Beto and Youssef Chermiti have yet to fully establish themselves.
The £50million that Chelsea wanted for Broja in January may have fallen significantly thanks to his lack of action at Craven Cottage but he seems out of the Toffees’ price range either way.
Chelsea seem particularly intent on selling off academy products to balance their own books after huge spending since the club changed hands and Broja looks like he needs a move to rebound from various set backs over the past couple of years.
He may well do so if given regular game time but a switch to Goodison Park seems like a gamble even if the finances worked, so a Southampton return may be the best option for the Albanian international.
Dyche is also widely reported to want to offer Kalvin Phillips a similar opportunity to regain form after his own terrible loan at West Ham, which in itself may be difficult if Manchester City insist on selling.
In other Everton news, John Textor has left an analyst baffled by making a “really odd” move regarding a deal to buy out Farhad Moshiri.
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