Chelsea attacker could leave despite signing new contract as Serie A giants declare interest
Despite only signing a new deal earlier this month, Armando Broja of Chelsea could quit Stamford Bridge, claims Italian publication Calcio Mercato (via Caught Offside). If Broja becomes available on the transfer market next summer, the defending Serie A winners AC Milan will be the team interested in acquiring him.
The Albanian striker had a respectable loan season with Southampton last year during which he scored six Premier League goals in 32 appearances. Chelsea decided to extend the graduate of their academy a new deal through 2028 in order to retain him for the 2022–2023 season.
Despite having the potential, Broja has only scored once in six substitute appearances this season.
He has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona during the latter stages of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea are now considering selling Broja for good in the coming future with AC Milan wanting to sign him.
The Rossoneri’s current striking options comprise Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud. The pair are currently well into the twilight of their careers which is why Milan will need a young forward to replace them in the future.
Broja could be an ideal signing to replace either Ibrahimovic or Giroud in the near future. The Albanian international could play understudy for the duo for a couple of seasons before taking on the mantle as AC Milan’s leading forward.
It is worth mentioning that Chelsea and the Italian side have been drawn alongside one another in the same Champions League group. The two sides will face each other for two matches in a row. This could give Milan a great opportunity to scout Broja should he get a chance to feature in any of the two ties.
Broja’s future at Chelsea, however, is still not known. The forward wasn’t given much opportunity by former manager Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician has now been sacked as is replaced by Graham Potter.
It is therefore still not known what Potter has in-store for Broja over the course of the season. He did play 24 minutes in the Englishman’s first game in-charge of the Blues in a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League.
The 21-year-old forward could be given game time in the domestic cups to prove his worth in the first-team.