Everton chase Chelsea striker Armando Broja after Dominic Calvert-Lewin rejects contract offer
Everton are not at an advanced stage of a push to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja, The Athletic reports.
According to the outlet’s website on 16 July the Albanian international remains a target at Goodison Park but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s situation is “likely to play a part” in the move.
The latter is now thought likely to leave this summer after he rejected a Toffees contract extension [TEAMtalk, 9 July] and has interest at Manchester United and also at West Ham [Sky Sports, 15 July].
Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas reported on 11 June that Broja is also wanted by Southampton and Wolves but finances made a move impossible for all three clubs.
Sean Dyche in line for striker moves at Everton
Broja has been a Toffees target for at least two years now [Evening Standard] so the continued interest may be driven by Kevin Thelwell.
He is 22 and has been widely known since an impressive Saints loan as a teenager but after a stop-start couple of seasons it is still potential as much as anything that suitors would be buying.
The combined factors of a major injury two seasons ago, the immense churn of players since the Chelsea ownership change, and a dismal loan spell at Fulham last year mean he has arguably regressed in that time while scoring just three goals.
Despite that he is one of many at Stamford Bridge to be locked into long contracts after signing a deal which runs to 2028 two years ago so won’t be cheap, with talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs reporting on 9 June that a £30million deal had been discussed.
Given the choice Sean Dyche would probably rather keep Calvert-Lewin but the contract situation may dictate the club has to take the money for him while it still available.
Everton reportedly want £40m for the Englishman [talkSPORT, 16 July] but it remains to be seen whether they can get that despite interest from multiple Premier League clubs.
Assuming he goes and Broja is the man chosen to come in there will need to be a major rebound from the Cobham graduate, or else substantial development from Beto or Youssef Chermiti to pick up the slack.
In other Everton news, another Toffees midfielder has confirmed his exit from the club during the Onana negotiations.
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