Newcastle United’s chances of signing Armando Broja on loan for the season have been boosted by previous frontrunners West Ham signing another striker, in Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Magpies’ potential transfer business for the remainder of the window.
Eddie Howe is thought to want to add a striker to his ranks, with the club currently just having two out-and-out strikers at their disposal in the form of Callum Wilson and Chris Wood.
Broja is due to have a meeting with current club Chelsea this week, according to the Express, with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly uncertain about letting the 20-year-old leave Stamford Bridge.
But O’Rourke believes that West Ham dropping out of the race to sign the striker can only be a boost to Newcastle, in the pursuit of the 14-time Albania international.
“Be a big boost for Newcastle in the chase for Armando Broja with West Ham seemingly out of the contention for him, after they made the signing of Scamacca.
“Most people were thinking that West Ham were the clear front runners for Broja, if he were to leave Chelsea, but now they seem to be out of the picture and that boosts Newcastle chances of maybe signing Broja.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments
We think that Newcastle fans will be delighted to hear that O’Rourke believes the club have received a boost in signing Broja, as the club are desperate for a starting centre-forward this season.
The £19.8m-rated 6 foot 3 striker, who former Chelsea and now Everton boss Frank Lampard described as having an “eye for goal”, would be an ideal option to play down the middle of Howe’s side this season, after proving himself on loan at Southampton last season.
We believe that Howe and Newcastle should be getting this deal over the line as quickly as possible, to wade off other Premier League interest, as well as having him fit and firing for when they need him.