Chelsea face transfer deadline day raid from London rivals: report

Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on January 30, 2024 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea could sell striker Armando Broja to London rivals Fulham late in the January transfer window.

The deadline falls at 11pm tomorrow (Thursday February 1), but Fulham were dealt a blow on Tuesday night as first-choice centre-forward Raul Jimenez was forced off injured at half-time of their 0-0 home draw with Everton.

Marco Silva's side are waiting to discover the extent of the Mexican's issue, which appeared to be a hamstring strain, but they could still make a big move for Broja regardless.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Armando Broja of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Armando Broja scored in Chelsea's recent Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Middlesbrough (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are keen to get the 22-year-old Albania international off their books as they look to raise cash in order to ensure they comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

And the report adds that the Blues could be talked down from their initial asking price of £50m for the Slough-born attacker.

Broja came through Chelsea's youth system and has made 38 first-team appearances, having previously impressed during loan spells at Southampton and Vitesse Arnhem. He has scored four goals in 17 senior caps for Albania.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Armando Broja of Albania looks on during the international friendly match between Spain and Albania at RCDE Stadium on March 26, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Broja will be hoping to represent Albania at this summer's Euros (Image credit: Getty Images)

There could be something of a mini clearout at Stamford Bridge between now and the transfer window slamming shut, with Conor Gallagher also touted for a departure to another London club: Tottenham.

Chelsea spent lavishly during the first three transfer windows following Todd Boehly's takeover, but they have reined it in this month as they look to avoid falling foul of FFP.

The sole winter arrival in West London has been 18-year-old Jamaica forward Dujan Richards.

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Karim Benzema has been linked with a sensational move away from Saudi Arabia, and Chelsea and Arsenal are both said to be interested in the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner.

And the Frenchman is not the only striker rumoured to be on the Blues' radar as deadline day approaches...

The two-time European champions could miss out on a top Premier League target, however.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...