Chelsea deal faces COLLAPSE: New transfer calamity strikes Blues

Robin Bairner

24 Aug 2024 05:36 CDT
2 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Chelsea’s move to loan Armando Broja to Ipswich Town faces the prospect of collapsing in a move that would have a dangerous knock-on effect for the Blues in the rest of the transfer window.

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In a report broken by The Guardian, it is stated that the deal is “in danger of falling apart”, while Fabrizio Romano has tweeted that it is “unlikely to happen now”.

Broja, a member of Chelsea’s so-called ‘Bomb Squad’, had appeared destined to move to the newly promoted side on loan, with Ipswich obligated to buy the Albania international forward for €35 million (£30m) if they secured survival.

The Guardian reports: “It is understood that there is a serious prospect of it collapsing over paperwork issues which are nothing to do with Chelsea. The move is not completely off but Ipswich are believed to be looking at alternative options in attack for manager Kieran McKenna.”

Everton are linked with a potential move for the 22-year-old, who has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €16.1 million, but only if they sell either Beto or Neal Maupay.

Current ETV

Armando Broja

F (C)

Chelsea

Armando Broja

F (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€12.1M - €20.1M

Broja impasse threatens future deals

Having Broja, who came through the club’s academy system and is therefore regarded as a ‘pure profit’ player should he be sold, remain at Chelsea would be a major blow for manager Enzo Maresca, who admitted on Friday that he is seeking additional options in attack.

“If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference… then we are going to try,” he said.

Chelsea’s inability to move Broja on could jeopardise any hope the club still have of landing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen late in the window – or indeed any other forward that they choose to move for.