The future of Armando Broja is developing into one of the major transfer sagas of the summer, with Newcastle United believed to be one of the clubs who are keen on prising the youngster away from Chelsea.

What's the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has insisted that a deal to bring the 20-year-old to St James' Park cannot be ruled out just yet, despite reports that the Magpies are not in the race to sign the highly-rated forward.

Asked whether the Albania international is on Eddie Howe's radar, the transfer insider stated: "Absolutely. I know for a fact he’s definitely on the list.

“I’m reading between the lines a little bit, because I’m obviously been away, but I don’t think I would rule that one out totally yet.”

The recent suggestion is that both Newcastle and fellow Premier League side Everton are battling it out for the 14-cap brute's signature, while West Ham United are also still in contention despite their capture of Sassuolo marksman Gianluca Scamacca.

Journalist Ryan Taylor has also claimed that the Tynesiders' desire for a loan move could see them fall out of the reckoning, with the Slough-born striker - who could be worth in the region of £30m - said to favour a permanent swoop if he is to leave Stamford Bridge.

Would be a major coup

There is clearly still a large number of hurdles to overcome if Newcastle are to secure the signing of Broja for the forthcoming campaign, although it is undoubtedly a positive to learn that the 6 foot 3 menace is still very much a player of interest.

Managing to get a deal over the line would undoubtedly be huge coup for the PIF regime, with the £8.5k-per-week hotshot having been in sparkling form in his debut campaign as a top-flight regular last time out, netting nine goals in all competitions while on loan at Southampton.

That haul included six Premier League goals during his time at St Mary's, having previously scored 11 times in a season-long loan stint at Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem during the 2020/21 campaign.

The departure of club-record flop Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan has opened the door for more regular game-time for the Blues academy graduate at his parent club. However, it remains to be seen if he will be a key part of Thomas Tuchel's first-team plans, having made just a solitary senior appearance for the west Londoners thus far.

As for Newcastle, they have so far come up short in their attempts to land a new centre-forward this summer, with Howe's side seemingly in need of additional quality despite signing Chris Wood on a £25m deal from Burnley in January.

Being left with just the New Zealand international and the injury-prone Callum Wilson as strikers for the new season would be a real concern for the former Bournemouth boss, having seen his team miss out on a move for French starlet Hugo Ekitike, who has secured a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

In Broja, the 44-year-old would seemingly have the perfect attacking solution, while it would represent a major coup to poach the player from one of the division's elite clubs.

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