West Ham told to sign Armando Broja after source’s update today – pundit
Noel Whelan has backed Armando Broja to lighten the load on Michail Antonio if he is to complete a West Ham move this summer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 20-year-old is now a proven Premier League operator following his loan spell at Southampton in the 2021-22 campaign.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (4 June) that Broja is a top target for the club this summer as they plan for a centre-forward signing.
The latest update on Monday is that there is growing hope among Broja’s suitors that Chelsea could be willing to sell him this summer to fund signings elsewhere.
Irons boss David Moyes is a big admirer of the forward’s pace, mobility and eye for goal, and believes he has huge potential to develop.
It is understood that West Ham talent-spotters personally ran the rule over Broja on a number of occasions during the 2021-22 campaign.
The Albania international notched nine goals and one assist in 38 games during his Southampton loan.
Whelan suggested the youngster could have “real longevity”.
“They’ve been looking for another striker for a while now,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Broja is someone who can come in and help Antonio, there’s no doubt about that.
“You could see with Antonio the fatigue creeping in during the second half of the season. He couldn’t quite keep those performance levels up.
“They need more firepower, and if they can bring him in then he could have real longevity.
“He’s proven himself in the Premier League. That’s why they’re willing to take the plunge and try and bring him in.”
Antonio scored 10 league goals in 2021-22 – just two of which came after New Year’s Day.
West Ham will play in the Europa Conference League during the 2022-23 campaign.
In other news, Irons in advanced talks to seal international arrival as house-hunting begins.