Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea forward Armando Broja on loan during this summer's transfer window.
The 20-year-old spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Southampton, finding the back of the net on nine occasions in 38 appearances for the Saints, in addition to contributing one assist.
Broja is highly-rated at Chelsea and still has another four years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge, but it is unclear whether he is in the plans of Thomas Tuchel for the coming season.
West Ham United have been credited with an interest in the striker, who has scored four times in 14 appearances for Albania.
However, according to Sky Sports News, Newcastle are now in the hunt for the youngster, with the Magpies keen to discuss a loan deal for the 2022-23 season.
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The report claims that Chelsea want Broja to do a full pre-season with them before making a decision on his future, with the Blues currently short of options at centre-forward.
Romelu Lukaku is heading back to Inter Milan on loan for the 2022-23 campaign, while there has been speculation surrounding the future of Timo Werner.
Broja spent time with Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster but moved to Chelsea in 2009, progressing though the youth system at the club before signing a professional contract in February 2020.
The Albanian has only made one first-team appearance for the capital giants, featuring against Everton in March 2020, but he signed a new five-year deal before heading out on loan last summer.
Broja also had a successful loan spell at Vitesse during the 2020-21 campaign, finding the back of the net on 11 occasions in 34 appearances in all competitions.
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Newcastle's recent takeover has made them one of the wealthiest clubs in world football, and they have already signed three players this summer, with Nick Pope and Sven Botman following Matt Targett to St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's side were also busy during the January window, signing Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn, while Targett arrived on loan from Aston Villa.
Newcastle had been favourites for the drop due to their poor form in the first half of the 2021-22 campaign, but a strong second half of the season ultimately saw them finish in 11th position.
The Magpies are currently preparing for their first pre-season friendly of the summer against Gateshead on July 8, while they will also take on 1860 Munich, Mainz 05, Benfica, Atalanta BC and Athletic Bilbao ahead of their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on August 6.
Matt Law
