Everton push in talks to seal big-money Armando Broja transfer from Chelsea fast
Everton are pushing to close a deal to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja and are hoping for a quick breakthrough, according to Ben Jacobs.
The journalist reported via Twitter on 9 June that the Toffees are in talks with the Stamford Bridge side over the Albanian international and are looking to bring him in for £30million.
A move for Broja may increase speculation around a transfer exit for star Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with TBR Football reporting on 1 June that the Chelsea man was being targeted as a possible replacement.
The Toffees man has a year left on his current deal and has been offered an extension, although he has not signed yet, and according to The Telegraph (23 May) he is wanted at Newcastle.
Jacobs wrote: “Everton are pushing to sign Armando Broja. Club in daily contact with Chelsea with a £30m package discussed. EFC hoping for a quick breakthrough.”
Everton push for Armando Broja after nightmare Fulham loan
Finances are not thought to be plentiful for the Everton transfer window and the fees for last year’s pair of striker signings, Beto and Youssef Chermiti, have to start being paid off this month.
So if the club are looking to push through another big money move for a forward it is surely likely to involve some financial gymnastics by Kevin Thelwell and the Toffees hiearachy.
Much of the focus at Goodison Park is on who might leave in an expensive deal, amid suggestions that a sale might be required before 30 June to help balance profit and sustainability concerns.
So a deal to bring Broja the other way may not only give weight to the idea that Calvert-Lewin could be moving on, but potentially star Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite.
Broja has plenty of potential but the wisdom of committing such a fee to the young Chelsea man given his difficulties over the past couple of seasons could be questioned when Everton don’t have cash to gamble with.
Four seasons ago he scored 11 goals in total on loan in the Netherlands with Vitesse and followed up the following year with nine in all competitions with Premier League Southampton, who are again interested.
But since then he has endured a major injury, struggled to establish himself amid the huge general upheaval at Chelsea, and a miserable loan at Fulham in the second half of last term where he barely got on the pitch, all while scoring just three times.
So if Sean Dyche does get the 21-cap international in it could be a high-risk move, albeit with a high-reward if it pays off in the long run.
In other Everton news, one of the potential Toffees buyers has now withdrawn from the race.
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