Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Adam Wharton, and Jean-Philippe Mateta all contributed a plethora of goals and assists to help Crystal Palace finish the season with a bang, propelling the Eagles up the Premier League standings. The team is looking for a new striker this summer, though, and Ben Jacobs exclusively told that a transfer for Armando Broja is in the cards despite their goal-scoring attempts and Mateta’s scorching form.
Mateta signed an initial eighteen-month loan agreement with Palace in January 2021, with the option to sign him for £13 million at the conclusion of the agreement. His six goals in 29 Premier League games last season reinforced the impression that he was struggling in the league, especially with Odsonne Edouard serving as the main focal point. Although Mateta emerged as the most knowledgeable striker in the Premier League during the last three months of the season after Oliver Glasner’s arrival in February, it seems that they are looking for a competitor, and Broja may be that person. Jacobs has revealed that they are in a seven-team competition to sign the Albanian international.
The Chelsea striker continues to be linked with a move away
After suffering an ACL injury in November 2022 and failing to make an impression on Chelsea’s first team because of a lack of playing time, Broja was loaned to Fulham in January. However, his loan transfer to the Cottagers in west London was unsuccessful; Rodrigo Muniz’s form has only allowed the Cottagers to play in 81 minutes of Premier League action, indicating that he hasn’t improved since making his Premier League debut at Southampton. As a result, Chelsea may decide to sell him.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: In 38 games for Chelsea, Armando Broja has only scored three goals.
The Slough-born star is behind Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, and since the Blues must offload players before the PSR deadline on June 30 in order to prevent any point deductions, he may be a top target for a move—though Chelsea will have to lower their asking price, per Jacobs.
Jacobs: Chelsea Will See if any Suitors “Bite”
Chelsea may not budge from their valuation
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, and Everton have expressed interest in signing Broja, according to Jacobs, who spoke exclusively to GIVEMESPORT. If the teams can agree on a price for his services, they will all begin their bidding low in an attempt to pay more than £10 million less than Chelsea has requested. Jacobs stated:
“They will start with that number with Broja and see if any suitors bite.”
“However, several teams interested in Broja are willing to pay him £10–15 million less than what he is asking for. the likes of Stuttgart, Everton, Monaco, Bologna, Wolves, Crystal Palace, and maybe even a few Saudi teams.”
Palace Could be a Good Breeding Ground for Broja
The Cobham graduate was superb for Southampton
As mentioned before, Palace do have Mateta in their ranks and it seems unfathomable for Glasner to drop the Frenchman given his form at the end of last season.
| Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Premier League statistics – Crystal Palace squad ranking | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats | Output | Squad rank |
| Appearances | 35 | =3rd |
| Goals | 16 | 1st |
| Shots Per Game | 1.3 | 5th |
| Aerial Duels Won Per Game | 1.4 | 6th |
| Match rating | 6.88 | =5th |
| Statistics via WhoScored – Correct as of 06/06/2024 | ||
But Broja might be required in what would be an excellent striker three for a mid-table squad, as Edouard hasn’t been to the races in a while and Jordan Ayew is the only other option.
If Broja is able to return to the kind of play he was before his injury at Southampton and for Chelsea, Palace has a good chance of landing a steal if they can work out a reasonable deal with the Blues.
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