Chelsea bombarded with second request for striker who’d replace their own former player at new club

After AC Milan expressed interest in Chelsea striker Armando Broja, fellow Serie A side Roma have also been in contact about a deal, according to reports.

Broja was reintegrated into the Chelsea setup last season, but his campaign ended prematurely due to injury. As he prepares to return to action, he has been linked with a loan move elsewhere to ensure he can get back to playing regularly.

Earlier this week, AC Milan were linked with Broja as they aim to find more reliable support for ex-Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud.

But now it has emerged that the Albania international could cover for a different former Chelsea striker after Roma shortlisted him as a potential replacement for Tammy Abraham.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Roma have asked for information about Broja. They are still searching for a striker after Abraham suffered an ACL injury – and they likely would have sold the former Chelsea product this summer anyway after a disappointing second season in Serie A.

Broja is the latest idea Roma have had after a frustrating summer in which they have missed out on other targets, such as Gianluca Scamacca, who went from West Ham United to Atalanta instead.

For the time being, though, Roma have received a similar answer to the one Chelsea gave Milan about Broja. The Blues are not said to be open to loaning the 21-year-old out just yet.

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However, they have signed Nicolas Jackson to strengthen their attack this summer (as well as Christopher Nkunku, albeit he is already injured too). Therefore, Broja will have been pushed further down the pecking order once he gets back in contention for a place.

If Chelsea can sign an even more established centre-forward, it might spell trouble for Broja. Even then, it seems his employers may prefer to sell him than loan him out, although he is under contract until 2028, which would buy them some time to lend him elsewhere if needed.

It is not yet clear what asking price Chelsea would have for their academy graduate if they decided to cash in on him.

Roma not yet insistent on Broja

Broja has scored once from 19 appearances for the Chelsea first team so far and previously endured loan spells with Vitesse and Southampton.

The report from Sky Sport Italia named several other options on Roma’s radar – Duvan Zapata from Atalanta, Marcos Leonardo from Santos and Willian Jose from Real Betis – so it seems that if Chelsea stand firm over Broja, the storm may pass.

Obviously, Milan may still pose a threat too after being underwhelmed by Divock Origi in his debut season after leaving Liverpool, while they also deal with the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But Broja remains a Chelsea player for now and it is up to Mauricio Pochettino to keep him happy in west London.