Chelsea’s intentions regarding the future of Armando Broja are ‘not yet known’ as he prepares to return from a loan spell at Southampton, with Napoli interested in the striker, according to report in Italy.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a fairly successful first season in the Premier League, scoring six goals in 32 appearances in the competition on loan at Southampton.
As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, Broja’s future is ‘not yet known’, with Chelsea not making a decision until later in the summer.
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The report states that Napoli ‘have been keeping an eye’ on the Chelsea player ‘for months’ as they look to sign him in the summer transfer window.
Their director of football, Cristiano Giuntoli, ‘has been following him since before half the Premier League had their eyes on him, and for this reason, he has a preferential lane with the player’, the report continues.
However, the intentions of Chelsea ‘are not yet known’, as Thomas Tuchel could look to hand him a chance in the first team next season.
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Romelu Lukaku is looking increasingly like he will depart Chelsea for the Serie A after an unsuccessful spell in London following his £97.5 million move to the Blues last summer.
Inter Milan and Chelsea are reportedly in talks over how a deal can be struck, with a loan deal a likely option if Lukaku takes a salary cut, while Inter would have to pay a loan fee which is believed to be in excess of £20 million.
Broja could be seen as the natural replacement for Lukaku, at least in the short-term and for pre-season as the Blues could only have Kai Havertz and Michy Batshuayi as natural senior strikers for their tour of the USA.
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If Broja can impress during pre-season it is likely that Tuchel will hand the forward an opportunity to stay at the club and fight for his future, much like Trevoh Chalobah did last season.
Nottingham Forest are the most recent side to be linked with a move for the 20-year-old following promotion to the Premier League, with any deal for Broja looking likely to be on loan as Chelsea have high hopes for his future.
Napoli appear to have held the longest interest in the Albania international but could face competition from fellow Serie A giants Inter and AC Milan.
It remains to be seen as to what the future holds for Broja, but it looks like he will at least remain at the club for pre-season.
Topics: Chelsea, Armando Broja, Napoli, Southampton
Nick Emms