Chelsea receive big-money transfer offer as Everton chase Armando Broja signing
Everton may have just got the ball rolling on a serious push to sign Armando Broja after a hefty bid reportedly went in at Stamford Bridge.
The Toffees have been interested in signing the Albanian for years [Evening Standard], largely amid uncertainty over Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to injury.
And now with the Englishman likely to leave due to his contract situation [The Times, 19 July] the Chelsea man has emerged as a prime candidate to replace him during the transfer window .
Everton were said to not be in a position to make an offer earlier in the window without sales being made first [Lyall Thomas, 11 June].
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could leave Everton after takeover collapse
But since the £50million Amadou Onana exit to Aston Villa [David Ornstein, 13 July] that situation has likely opened up, and despite a £17m deal to bring in centre-back Jake O’Brien from Lyon [Guardian, 29 July] being concluded it appears the Broja race may have started in earnest.
Gonzalo Tortosa reported for El Chiringuito TV in Spain on 30 July that a €27million bid [£22.8m] has been made for the 22-year-old by a “Premier” club and that negotiations are now in progress for him.
So either Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell have now got serious about their pursuit of the Albanian international, or a rival club has.
Amadou Onana sale bought big money to Goodison Park
Broja is also reported to have interest from elsewhere in the form of Southampton and Wolves [Sky Sports, 11 June] so the offer could have come from one of them or an unknown new suitor, but the Toffees were reported to be considering a new approach as recently as 26 July, according to Caught Offside.
If that is the case it clearly means there is a risk that Everton miss out on a player they’ve trailed for a long time, although not all supporters will be too upset about that given doubts over his recent injury and goal records.
The Toffees have shown interest in Broja’s former Chelsea teammate Tammy Abraham but he has rejected the chance to move to Goodison Park in favour of waiting for an AC Milan switch [Sky Sports Italy, 30 July].
In other Everton news, Fabrizio Romano has shared a transfer update amid Toffees interest in a “perfect” new full-back.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.