DONE DEAL: Chelsea have sign a £55m striker.
The Sun claims that Chelsea is prepared to approve Armando Broja’s loan departure this month, contingent on a summer purchase requirement of £55 million.
Since his recovery from a catastrophic knee injury, the Albanian striker has battled to establish consistency, and Chelsea is now ready to let him go in an effort to balance their budget. Due to Financial Fair Play issues with prospective suitors, there aren’t any permanent offers available right now, but the Blues have a fix.
The Sun reports that the London giants are willing to let Broja go on loan, despite interest from Wolves and Fulham, among other teams. Chelsea, meanwhile, demands that any agreement include a mandatory buy clause in the summer worth £55 million.
Possible departure
Broja has made 17 appearances for the Blues this campaign but he has netted only 2 goals. One of those came in the FA Cup 3rd round against Preston North End. In comparison, Nicolas Jackson has accumulated 8 goals from 23 appearances for Chelsea despite being guilty of missing several clear-cut chances on goal.
Chelsea seem unlikely to sign a new striker this month due to their Financial Fair Play situation, but they will free up space and budget for a new frontman if they allow Broja to leave.
The West Londoners have been linked with a number of top class strikers including Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney. Selling Broja for their new valuation would allow Chelsea to book £35m as pure profit, which would free up substantial funds to put towards a new frontman.
It appears unlikely any new striker will arrive this month so Chelsea will have to make-do with what they’ve got for now. Jackson will be back in the squad after his African Cup of Nations duty with Senegal while Chelsea also have Christopher Nkunku in their ranks.
Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have also operated in the false number 9 role with good success this campaign. With four potential options to play up front, manager Mauricio Pochettino may not stop Broja from leaving for the right offer this winter.
£35m seems a reasonable figure for a young striker who has the ability to develop into a top-class striker with consistent playing time at another club. He scored 9 goals in a loan spell at Southampton few years back.
