Transfer insider Dean Jones has provided an update on the situation surrounding Newcastle United and the pursuit of Chelsea striker Armando Broja.
The lowdown: Stepping stone
A player from the academy production line at Chelsea, Broja enjoyed a breakout season on loan at Southampton in 2021/22 having previously spent time on loan at Vitesse.
Already a fully-fledged Albania international, the Slough-born frontman’s future in London is still uncertain, and the 20-year-old has been attracting major interest from West Ham and Everton in recent weeks.
St James’ Park has also been cited as a potential landing ground for Broja this summer, however, one well-informed onlooker has suggested that Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe could be looking at alternative options…
The latest: ‘Somebody they like’
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones has claimed that although there is a genuine admiration from the North East, the long list of suitors may put Newcastle off from making a move.
He said: “He’s not at the top of the list, but he is definitely somebody they like. They know there’s going to be competition to get him, so I think they’re a bit wary of how much effort they’re going to have to put into signing him.”
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The verdict: Take your pick
Albeit Broja may not be the priority as things stand, that situation could easily manifest itself should the drawn-out pursuit of Reims’ starlet Hugo Ekitike finally be brought to a conclusion.
Elsewhere, the Magpies have been indexed to Flamengo frontman Gabriel Barbosa and Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin, albeit neither potential transfer has materialised beyond the point of conjecture currently.
Still young enough to develop further and with the backdrop of 10 direct goal involvements last season, Broja – who was praised for a ‘brutal’ impact at Southampton last term by journalist Pablo Montaño – would be an investment for the here and now as well as the future and would therefore represent the perfect candidate to join the Newcastle project.
Standing at 6 foot 1 and sharing similar style traits with the likes of Richarlison, Ollie Watkins and Teemu Pukki (Fbref), the 14-cap international frontman won a superb five duels per game in 2021/22, and possesses many of the important facets to succeed long-term in the Premier League.
Valued at an ever-increasing £19.8m (Transfermarkt), Broja would be a smart capture for PIF were it to become a reality.
