West Ham United are growing admirers of Chelsea talent Armando Broja amid the striker’s lively efforts in a season-long loan transfer with Southampton, according to the Daily Mail.
The Hammers are tracking developments around the Premier League as David Moyes eyes late window deals. The Irons remain in the market for another centre-half, with Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car one option. They also want a centre-forward to support Michail Antonio.
Broja moved to St Mary’s at the start of the term for his first true experience of English top-flight football. The Albanian has only played four-minutes for the senior Chelsea side and spent last season on loan with Vitesse Arnhem. He scored 11 goals in 34 games last term.
Ralph Hasenhuttl afforded Broja a steady start to life at the Saints, with his first four league appearances coming from the bench. But the 20-year-old rewarded the Austrian’s decision to start him at home to Leeds United in October with the only goal of the south coast clash.
Broja has since stretched his Premier League tally to five goals and one assist in 18 games, starting 10. His assist came in a 3-2 win at West Ham, while scoring twice in the EFL Cup.
West Ham are now keeping tabs on Broja’s form during his loan transfer from Chelsea with Southampton. It is unlikely that the Hammers strike a deal of their own for the Slough-born forward in January. Instead, the 10-cap Albania star will stay at St Mary’s until the summer.
Chelsea likely to deny West Ham transfer for Southampton loan star Broja
Chelsea will likely deny West Ham a transfer for Broja at the end of his Southampton loan spell, as well. Fabrizio Romano noted earlier this month that the Blues are already planning for him to be a part of their future. His Stamford Bridge contract does not expire until 2026.
But West Ham are right to at least track Broja’s situation while he shines at Southampton in his first real Premier League experience. The striker has become a key part of Hasenhuttl’s attack, and earned praise from Micah Richards after scoring against Leeds.
“Broja was excellent,” Richards said on Match of the Day, via Hampshire Live. “Just 20 and on loan from Chelsea. Chelsea have got a great academy, they really have.
“[Broja] set the tempo from the minute go. He was working hard for the team, winning the ball back and some people might just think it’s simple, but it sets the tempo.”
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