"Southampton would love..." - Journalist drops big St Mary's transfer claim involving rising gem

Southampton ‘would love’ to sign striker Armando Broja on a permanent basis if he becomes available, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The highly-rated 20-year-old joined the south coast club from Chelsea on a season-long loan in the summer and has impressed throughout his short stint.

Broja made just one senior appearance for the Blues before he was shipped out to Vitesse Arnhem on a temporary basis last term in order to experience regular first-team action.

During his time with the Eredivisie outfit, the youngster excelled, scoring 11 goals and providing a further three assists in 34 appearances.

And Broja has managed to carry that eye-catching form over into the current campaign despite now plying his trade in the Premier League, racking up nine goal contributions already.

The clinical forward’s lethal displays saw him linked with a permanent switch to the Saints throughout the January transfer window, and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has previously claimed that Broja’s family is ‘very keen’ for him to make the move.

According to well-known reporter and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Southampton were plotting a club-record £25 million bid for the forward last month.

Pochettino to Man United close?! Find out more on The Football Terrace…

However, a formal offer never materialised and the speculation surrounding Broja’s long-term future has continued to mount.

Sky Sports claimed that several Premier League clubs were interested in signing Broja during the winter window as Southampton attempted to snap him up on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk stated that Leeds United, Everton and Wolves were all in the queue for his signature as they looked to add more firepower to their faltering forward lines.

But O’Rourke