Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl frustrated by Chelsea over Armando Broja talks

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says the club are keen to discuss the future of Armando Broja with his parent club Chelsea but have been hampered by the west Londoners’ current situation.

Broja, 20, joined the Saints on loan at the start of the season as the club looked for reinforcements after Danny Ings’ £25million departure to Aston Villa.

The Albania international has enjoyed a solid campaign on the south coast, scoring nine goals in 32 appearances for Hasenhuttl’s side, but is set to head back to Chelsea at the end of the season.

Hasenhuttl says the club’s hierarchy have tried to hold talks with the Blues about keeping Broja beyond the summer but points out that the situation at Stamford Bridge is not helping matters.

Chelsea are currently in a state of disarray owing to government sanctions on their owner Roman Abramovich, with the club in the process of being sold, and that is having a knock-on effect on transfer dealings.

Hasenhuttl explained: ‘We are discussing this topic at the moment, but we all know the situation at Chelsea.

‘That there are a lot of changes there. It is, at the moment, not so easy to find the right person to talk to and to speak about futures with players.

‘It is maybe easier to concentrate on your job and to do a good job until the end of the season, that helps him and helps us.’

Back in 2020, Broja signed his first professional contract with Chelsea after nine years in the Blues’ academy.

Soon after putting pen to paper, he was sent out on loan to Eredivisie side Vitesse where he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances before returning to west London.

Despite being born in Berkshire, Broja represents Albania – the country of his parents – and made his debut for senior team two years ago.

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