Maresca wants another attackerplaceholder image
Maresca wants another attacker | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea are one step closer to snapping up an attacker as a player sale nears.
Chelsea are set to move one step closer to being able to pull off an attacking transfer, with a player on the way out. The Blues are currently closing in on a deal to sign defender Jorrel Hato, but they also want to wrap up a deal to sign RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.
Due to that factor, and the existing Profit and Sustainability rules, Chelsea need to make sure they sell players before signing Simons and others, and they have done a good job of balancing spending up to now, with Noni Madueke and Joao Felix leaving the club.
The next player to leave is striker Armando Broja, who has now agreed to join returning Premier League club Burnley. Fabrizio Romano has posted on X: “It’s over between Armando Broja and Chelsea: understand the transfer to Burnley will be permanent. Broja will complete his medical in the next 24h and sign long term deal with Burnley. #CFC accepted conditions. Here we go.”
He added: “Armando Broja to Burnley (on a permanent deal) follows Marc Guiu to Sunderland (loan) and João Félix to Al Nassr… …Chelsea won’t stop, with Nkunku and Sterling also expected to leave this summer. Nico Jackson situation open. Xavi Simons & Garnacho, both high oj list.”
That development likely won’t be enough to sign Simons just yet, especially with the Hato deal set to be completed. Chelsea had an asking price of around £25million to sell Broja, and it’s likely Burnley will pay somewhere in that region.
But the good news is that Simons seems to be positioning himself to leave Leipzig, with discussions with Chelsea having gone well. Romano added: “Xavi Simons removing RB Leipzig from his Instagram bio, seen as transfer message: he wants Chelsea move. Negotiations remain advanced, more work to do to get it done but Xavi has 2 years left on his contract and won’t extend.”
As for Broja, he spent last season on loan with Everton, and he made it clear that he wants regular football, something he has not been able to find at Stamford Bridge. He said upon his arrival at Goodison Park: “As a player, especially as a young player, you’re keen to feel wanted by people and that's how Everton have made me feel from day one.
"They've really wanted me and told me why, so that makes you feel really happy and proud. Maybe the start of the season hasn't gone how we wanted but we can definitely turn that around with the squad and the manager we have here. I certainly feel like there are going to be so many more positive days ahead and, for me, I'm just focusing on getting back and integrating with the team.
"I want to make an impression on the fans, too, by scoring goals, creating chances, my work rate off the ball, being aggressive as a striker and helping the team out in any way I can. I want to come in and build a great relationship with the fans, with my team-mates and with the coaching staff. When you feel at home and you feel happy, that's when you play your best football.”
The 23-year-old went on to make just 10 league appearances for Everton, failing to score.
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