Frank Lampard gives Mikel Arteta and Edu insight into reported Arsenal transfer target

Everton boss Frank Lampard has been talking up the qualities of reported Arsenal transfer target Armando Broja.

Lampard knows all about the Southampton striker having handed the 20-year-old his senior debut at Chelsea. Broja was a late sub for Olivier Giroud in February 2020, ironically in a 4-0 win over Everton.

The powerful striker has since moved to Saints on a season-long loan last summer and he has been impressing. Eight goals in 24 games this season in his breakthrough season in England has had scouts flocking to see him.

Football.london understands Arsenal are “monitoring” Broja ahead of the summer transfer window after missing out on their January transfer targets.

The Gunners were keen on a deal for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic. The towering Serbian though made the transfer to Juventus last month.

But Arsenal still require a striker with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gone and Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both out of contract in July.

Broja could well be an option and Lampard, whose Everton side face Southampton this weekend, believes he is a “very, very good player”.

“I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a good lad, a very talented young boy.

“He came to us at the start of the Covid times and trained with us and is showing his attributes with Southampton now.

“Fast, strong. Has a real eye for goal. A very, very good player. I’m very aware of his strength,” Lampard said in his pre-match press conference.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has also been impressed with the youngster, who has performed better in matches than in training.

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“To be honest, the impression he has given me in the games is a higher one than in the sessions,” said Hasenhuttl to Sky Sports. “He was a slow starter here. He took time to adapt to our intense way of playing but he is getting better and he learned a lot.

“The young players need time. We need to let them make mistakes and learn from these.

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Broja ‘super convinced about himself’

“This ability he has and behaviour he shows is important because we are a hard-working club and if you want to perform here, you have to work hard for this team. This is what he’s had to learn since he’s here and it helps his development.”

The Austrian coach says Broja is still learning.

“Showing good performances every week, and when you get the chance to play, help the team win games,” he added.

“He must – besides his scoring and creating chances – work against the ball. This is what you have to do at Southampton.

“Thomas is absolutely right – he’s a young player who still has to learn a lot. We try to calm down things because we don’t want that he loses focus.

“He’s super convinced about himself – that’s never a problem for a striker. But he is a player that can create chances by himself and score goals by himself. This is a weapon that not a lot of players have.”

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