Southampton 'could go back in' for £20m star at St Mary's

Southampton could still pull off a deal to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja this summer with as they continue to look for attacking reinforcements, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Ralph Hassenhutl is currently preparing his squad for the 2022-23 campaign but, with over a month to go in the summer transfer window, there are still deals to be done.

Saints have been a busy club in the window so far as they look to climb the Premier League table. Just over £50 million has been spent on six new signings on the south coast including midfielder Joe Aribo, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and striker Sekou Mara.

But there appears to still be a hunger to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer. Shane Long left on a free transfer to join Reading while Che Adams has recently been linked with a move to Leeds United.

One name that has, unsurprisingly, been linked with a return to St Mary’s this summer is Broja after impressing during his loan spell from Chelsea last season.

The Albanian international found the back of the net six times during the campaign and has also been linked with the likes of Newcastle United and West Ham this summer. But Thomas Tuchel has so far made is clear he wants the 20-year-old to stay at Stamford Bridge.

In April, Hassenhutl also made it known that he wanted Broja to return next season, saying: “It has been a very important first season for him. At this moment it is not easy to negotiate with Chelsea. There is no question, and it is not surprising that I want him to stay here another year. I know this would be good for him.”

Jones understands that a move for Broja this summer is not out of the question for Southampton and that competition moving for other stars is helping their case.

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