Connor Humm

Tue 25 January 2022 17:24, UK

Alan Hutton has suggested Armando Broja would be an “excellent” signing for West Ham ahead of late-window talks with Chelsea.

The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 20-year-old Southampton loanee looks like a “battle-hardened Premier League player”.

As revealed by Football Insider on Monday (24 January), West Ham are planning talks with Chelsea over a potential late window deal.

A West Ham source told this site the club are set to test the water with a late move after monitoring his form at Southampton.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be willing to sell or whether Broja is willing to end his loan spell with the Saints.

Hutton suggested he could prove the ideal backup striker at the London Stadium.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think he’s excellent. The amount of times you see young boys coming out from that Chelsea academy, being given an opportunity and they really shine and really take to it.

“He’s one who looks ready now. He doesn’t look like a young boy who’s maybe not so sure and is trying to find his feet.

“Broja looks a battle-hardened Premier League player. He has given defences a real tough time. When he’s ready now, it’s not like he’s one for the future.

“So he could go into the likes of a West Ham when they are struggling for backup. He can play striker or from out wide. There are options there with him and he’s ready to go.

“It doesn’t surprise me they’re looking at him. He has really gone and stepped out the shadow of Chelsea? You can actually see what he’s capable of and everybody’s talking about him.

“It doesn’t surprise here that there are other teams within the Premier League looking at him.”

Broja has scored five goals in 18 Premier League games for Southampton this season.

He has only made one first-team appearance for Chelsea to date.

In other news, pundit drops “unbelievable” verdict on Liverpool signing Bowen from West Ham after source reveal.