Chelsea’s Armando Broja is in high-demand this transfer window after impressing on his loan spell at Southampton last season. Spanish outlet AS now claim that Real Madrid have joined the list of those wanting to sign the striker.
However, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel desperately wants to keep Broja in his team for next season, especially after Romelu Lukaku left on loan. But the 20-year-old could leave in search of regular minutes as he got last season with the Saints.
Meanwhile, Real have welcomed the likes of former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger for free and Aureliem Tchouameni for £75 million from AS Monaco.
Real however missed out on their biggest signing this summer in PSG’s Kylian Mbappe. As a result, they are now left with Mariano Diaz and Borja Mayoral as the only options in striker department besides Karim Benzema.
Chelsea stay looks likelier for Broja than Real Madrid move
According to AS report, Real Madrid have felt a need of adding another deputy to Benzema after both Diaz and Mayoral are expected to leave.
Broja scored 9 goals in 38 games for Southampton last season, and his robust pace and powerful physicality has caught the eye of the Los Blancos.
Southampton have asked Chelsea about another loan spell or a permanent move for the Albanian, while West Ham United have also entered the race to acquire his services.
The Hammers have even tabled a bid of £30 million for Broja, which has been rejected by the Blues. Thomas Tuchel has reiterated that he wants to keep Broja since he promises a lot of potential and goal threat.
Moreover, with Lukaku gone and Timo Werner misfiring Tuchel has insisted Broja could land plenty of minutes next season. The striker too looks convinced about the same and reportedly prefers a stay in England.
Broja has evidently amalgamated in the Premier League, and a slower La Liga could hamper his development. Further on, Real expect to squeeze out another couple of years from Benzema at the top which means Broja is not guaranteed regular game-time there.
Tuchel while on the preseason revealed his plans of using the striker for next season. The manager said, “..I don’t expect Armando to leave. We are aware of offers and interest, it just tells us that he has a lot of potential.
“We will make a decision together, the owners and me, and also in the end with the player. Right now, from when he arrived, it was clear that he tried to impress and become a Chelsea player as soon as possible. After his loan in Southampton, the situation was very clear that he wanted to make the next step and show his improvement and make an impression in pre-season.”
Broja has a long-term contract signed at Chelsea which runs till the summer of 2026. Having assured major role in the team next season, the forward would better put stay in the Premier League than take a gamble and move to Real Madrid.