Chelsea: £30m star now set for shock stay at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea striker Armando Broja is now set to stay at Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The 20-year-old’s future has been the subject of speculation throughout the window, but Phillips is confident that Broja will remain a Blues player beyond September’s transfer deadline.

Earlier this summer, West Ham had identified the Albania international as their top striker target and were planning to launch a bid of around £30m after seeing their opening £25m offer knocked back.

Everton and Newcastle were also interested in Broja, but Thomas Tuchel insisted on Chelsea’s tour of the US that he wants to keep the ex-Southampton loanee, who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell on the south coast last season, scoring nine goals in all competitions.

“I don’t expect him to leave,” Tuchel admitted. “We are aware of interest and offers, which just tells us there is a lot of potential, and the owners and me will take this decision together in the end, also with the player.”

Broja’s pre-season was overshadowed by an injury and doubts over his future, but the youngster was involved at Everton on Sunday and made just his second senior appearance for Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Phillips believes that discussions have taken place over Broja’s future and there’s a growing confidence that he’ll remain at Stamford Bridge beyond this window.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I was told a couple of weeks ago that he will be staying now.

“Obviously in a transfer window you can never be 100 per cent sure, but conversations were held, and they were positive and both parties went away believing that Broja will be staying for this season.”

With Chelsea yet to sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku or Timo Werner, Tuchel isn’t exactly spoilt for choice when