Chelsea striker Armando Broja is ‘still an option’ for Newcastle United this summer, according to reliable journalist Mark Douglas.

The Lowdown: Interest elsewhere in Broja

The 20-year-old seemed set to seal a £30m move to West Ham last week after the striker came close to agreeing personal terms with the east London club.

However, according to The Northern Echo, the Albanian’s future has been plunged back into uncertainty after the Hammers scaled back their interest in the Chelsea marksman, with Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca set to undergo his medical with the Irons on Tuesday.

The Latest: Douglas’ news

Douglas has shared an update on Broja’s transfer speculation.

Taking to Twitter, the reliable journalist claimed: “Broja still an option for #nufc. Club working hard to make additions in a difficult market. No sense of panic - forward players were always going to be more difficult to get.”

In the adjacent article, it is reported that Newcastle’s interest in the Albanian is ongoing and that a loan offer may yet tempt Chelsea, who don’t want to give up on the youngster but are struggling to find a place for him in Thomas Tuchel’s front-line.

The Magpies are also said to be scouring the loan market, with Eddie Howe keen on securing a forward before their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on 6 August.

The report added that Broja is understood to want regular football, something he doesn't seem likely to obtain at Chelsea, so he may be open to a move elsewhere over the coming weeks.

The Verdict: Go get him

Hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp as “an impressive young man” with “incredible pace and strength” and the ability to “finish really well”, it is no wonder that Newcastle have been keeping their tabs on Broja this summer.

As per FBRef, when compared with positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, the 20-year-old ranks in the 86th percentile for aerial duels won, the 82nd percentile for interceptions and the 81st percentile for dribbles completed.

With a different profile to Magpies number nine Callum Wilson, Broja would give Howe an alternative option up front, making this a potentially great signing for Newcastle.

With the Albanian eager to not spend most of the 2022/23 season on the sidelines, the Magpies must now go and get him, especially with West Ham seemingly backing off.