Journalist Paul Brown has shed some light on the pursuit of Chelsea striker Armando Broja from West Ham United this summer. 

The lowdown: Striker needed

Ever since the Hammers sold Sebastien Haller to Ajax in January 2021 for £20.25million (BBC), Michail Antonio has ploughed a lonely furrow as the only senior recognised frontman in the London Stadium ranks.

Occasions supported by Andriy Yarmolenko and an out-of-natural position Jarrod Bowen, for the most part, it's been left to the talismanic 32-year-old to lead the line for David Moyes' side whenever available.

Despite early reports suggesting that a centre-forward would be a top priority for David Moyes and Rob Newman, no new arrival has yet been forthcoming, a situation one informed onlooker has claimed could change in the future...

The latest: 'Waiting for him'

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Daily Star journalist Brown has stated that the Irons may need to wait to land their man, but provided some majorly good news in that he believes the Blues see the striker as a 'sellable asset'.

He said: “The [Chelsea] owners might think, ‘Look, we’ve got a sellable asset here that can bring some money back in and help us to fund some of these transfers that we want.’ So I have a feeling Broja might go towards the end of the window, but that’ll mean West Ham waiting for him.”

The verdict: Worth the wait

Although Moyes would likely rather have the players in situ as early as possible, for a signing of the quality of Broja there can afford to be made an exception.

Last season the 14-cap Albania star - who was recently described as a 'complete forward' by football talent scout Jacek Kulig - scored nine times and provided one assist in 38 appearances across all competitions for Southampton, earning a 6.69 Sofascore whilst showcasing an eye-catching combative side by winning 5.0 duels on average per game in the league.

Predominantly operating as an archetypical centre-forward, the 6 foot 1 frontman has also played on either wing previously and would therefore offer versatility to the Hammers' ranks as well as a genuine much-needed understudy to the sole frontline option.

Albeit far from the finished article, adding Broja to the West Ham ranks for Moyes to work with, develop alongside and dovetail with Antonio makes an abundance of sense given the similarities in terms of playing style.