Leeds United could potentially be looking at a deal for Chelsea and Albania striker Armando Broja this summer.
That is according to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports, who was speaking to GiveMeSport about the Whites’ potential transfer business as we look ahead to the final weeks of the transfer window.
It looked certain earlier in the summer that Broja would be making a permanent move to West Ham United from Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £30m, though David Moyes’ side signed Sassuolo and Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca instead.
However, with Chelsea looking at a potential deal to sign Barcelona and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, there may be an opportunity for Broja to head out on loan again this campaign following his successful loan stint at Southampton last season.
And Jacobs has heard that Leeds are “in the mix” to sign the 20-year-old striker, among interest from other Premier League sides.
He said: “Everton are also circling around Broja and Leeds United I think will be in the mix as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Jacobs’ comments…
We believe that Leeds fans will be delighted to hear that the club are interested in a potential move for Broja this summer, as the club are desperate for striker backup, with Patrick Bamford the only senior out-and-out centre-forward at the club at the time of writing, although Rodrigo has been in impressive form since the beginning of the season and Joe Gelhardt continues to make progress.
14-time Albania international Broja, who has been described as ‘top-class’, scored nine goals and provided one assist whilst at Southampton last season, according to Transfermarkt.
The 6ft 3in striker, who missed the weekend’s trip due to injury, also makes great use of his height advantage, ranking in the top 13% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for aerial duels won per 90 minutes (4.29) over the last 365 days, according to FBref. He’s also similar to Richarlison, who is ranked as the second-most similar player to Broja.
Therefore, we believe he would be a fantastic addition to Jesse Marsch’s side this season and would provide genuine first-team competition for Bamford rather than simply being a backup option.