There has been a major Armando Broja blow for West Ham as a Telegraph journalist lifts the lid on Chelsea’s stance.
There was excitement in West Ham circles this week when transfer reporter Gianluca Di Marzio claimed the Hammers were fully focused on signing Chelsea striker Broja.
West Ham were first linked with a move for Chelsea-owned Broja earlier this season after seriously catching the eye on loan at Southampton (Football Insider).
Sky Sports has reported that Broja is on David Moyes’s list of striker targets for the summer window with a forward being a top priority for West Ham.
And Sky Sports transfer reporter Dharmesh Sheth this week claimed Chelsea have set West Ham a fee of more than £25m for Broja, claiming an official bid from the Hammers is imminent.
But there has been a major Broja blow for West Ham as Telegraph journalist Jason Burt lifts the lid on Chelsea’s stance.
Major Armando Broja blow for West Ham as Telegraph journalist lifts lid on Chelsea stance
Burt has strong connections at both West Ham and Chelsea.
And he took to Twitter to deliver Moyes a Hammer blow over Broja – claiming Chelsea are rejecting any approaches for the Albanian striker and are in no rush to sell him.
“Chelsea are rejecting approaches for striker Armando Broja as they assess their squad and what to do during this transfer window,” Burt said on Twitter.
“They are in no rush to sell.”
The news has gone down like a lead balloon with West Ham fans who had been excited at the prospect of seeing the powerful forward at the London Stadium.
But let’s keep things in perspective, it is a major blow but not – yet – a fatal one.
And remember Chelsea will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement striker signing – or two – following Romelu Lukaku’s departure.
The pressure is on Thomas Tuchel to close the gap on the likes of Man City and Liverpool.
And it is highly unlikely they would thrust Broja in at the deep end with those kind of expectations.
Not off the back of just six Premier League goals on loan at Southampton in his breakthrough season.
This may be Chelsea playing hardball. Or it may be West Ham have to wait until Chelsea get their Lukaku replacement/s before being able to sign Broja.
Yet another transfer saga that could run and run.
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