West Ham may not have a better chance to sign Armando Broja this month with Chelsea softening their stance on his exit from Stamford Bridge.
The Evening Standard reported (29 January) that Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers have begun discussions to sign the Albanian striker before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Chelsea are believed to be ready to sell to the striker to help raise transfer funds for a big-money deal for a new No9.
The West Londoners want £50million for Broja but both Fulham and Wolves hope to agree a fee below £35m and negotiations are likely to rumble on until deadline day on Thursday.
Journalist Ben Jacobs shared on Fabrizio Romano’s Substack on 23 January that the Hammers are in the race to sign Broja this month but his price tag may be too high for clubs to reach.
With Aston Villa, Fulham and Wolves joining the Irons in the picture for the Albanian international Jacobs has suggested offers will be left late in an attempt to force the Blues to lower their price or alter their structural demands.
Broja has been heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge exit in recent weeks, although so far the striker has remained with the Blues.
That could, of course, all change in the final days of the January transfer window, with plenty of clubs seemingly showing an interest in the young striker.
He may not even have to move very far this month, with potential moves within London on the cards amid the interest from both Fulham and West Ham.
The Hammers certainly won’t have the money to match Chelsea’s demands but with the Blues open to his sale before the deadline, it won’t hurt for David Moyes and Tim Steidten to open talks to seal his move.
And given their European plight next month, Broja will certainly be more tempted by a move to East London than elsewhere handing Moyes the perfect chance to seal a much-needed striker transfer to bolster their ranks.
Michail Antonio and Danny Ings are still available to Moyes but both players have lacked consistency and form for so long which has hurt the Hammers’ attacking force and Broja represents the perfect opportunity to exploit.
There is also a chance of a loan with an obligation for Broja which Chelsea are believed to be open to (Ben Jacobs, GIVEMESPORT, 28 January).
Broja has hardly had the opportunity to show what he can bring at Stamford Bridge given his lack of game time and imagine what he could do with greater opportunities elsewhere.
West Ham must open talks to sign him now, even if it is temporary.
In other West Ham news, bids have been made for a South American Hammers player, with a last-gasp January exit on the cards.
