Fabrizio Romano issues evening update on Chelsea stance towards selling Armando Broja to West Ham United this summer.
Broja has been Moyes’ prime striker target since January.
While Chelsea have brought in the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, it has been a frustrating week on the transfer front for West Ham.
And to rub salt in the wound the only one of David Moyes’ three summer signings who looked set to be a first team starter – Nayef Aguerd – has suffered what looks to be a serious ankle injury.
The most important work in the window is still to be done, particularly up front when it comes to signing a striker. And the same can be said for West Ham’s London rivals Chelsea.
Following the departure of Romelu Lukaku there has been uncertainty as to whether the Blues will allow Broja to leave, let alone join West Ham.
Reports of late have claimed Chelsea would only be willing to sanction a loan deal with Broja highly regarded by Thomas Tuchel (Daily Mail).
There was confusion then when a host of usually reliable sources claimed West Ham were closing on signing Broja permanently.
Fabrizio Romano, The Evening Standard, Sky Sports, 90Min, The Athletic’s David Ornstein, The BBC’s Simon Stone and The Telegraph’s Chelsea reporter Matt Law all made that claim only for it to transpire no such deal with Chelsea was close.
There has been claim and counter claim all week, particularly after Tuchel stated he ‘did not expect’ Broja to leave.
The German did not rule out a move altogether, though, saying he would have discussions with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and the striker himself before making a decision.
Moyes is growing impatient and cutting an increasingly frustrated figure of late, culminating in a transfer ultimatum to West Ham’s owners after the midweek defeat to Rangers.
Now transfer reporter Romano has issued an evening update on the Chelsea stance towards selling Broja to West Ham.
There is mixed news for West Ham.
Because Romano says Chelsea have now started discussions over player departures.
But no final decision has been made as yet on Broja.
“Chelsea, working on the outgoings,” Romano said on Thursday evening.
“Deal in place with Huddersfield for Tino Anjorin as @JacobSteinberg reports, loan move until 2023.
“Still no final decision made on Armando Broja.
“More: deal completed for young talent Zak Sturge to join Chelsea from Brighton.”
The wait goes on then but there are two positives here for West Ham.
The first is that they should get an answer soon now that Chelsea have started to discuss their departures.
And the second that letting Broja leave has not been instantly ruled out, meaning there must be even a slim chance it may still happen.