West Ham ‘lining up talks’ with Chelsea over on-loan striker

According to reports, West Ham are eyeing up a move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who is currently on loan at Southampton.

Broja is enjoying a productive spell at St Mary’s this term. He has scored seven goals in 21 matches in all competitions.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has expressed an interest in keeping the Albania international at the club beyond this season.

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Earlier this month, Hasenhuttl said: “We will find the right conversation with the player, the agents, the club. What they want, what Chelsea want.

“In the end we need to make the best decision for the player, when its a win, win, win for everybody, then we will find the right decision for the summer.

“As long as he is our player, we will have as much fun with him and make him better.”

Meanwhile, West Ham are keen on signing a new striker this month to provide competition for Michail Antonio, who is the club’s only recognised No. 9.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers are “lining up talks” with Chelsea over the signing of Broja.

The report says that West Ham are “set to test the water with a late move” as they are keen to find out if the 20-year-old is part of the Blues’ long-term plans.

However, convincing the young striker to leave Southampton during the season could be a potential stumbling block for the Irons.

Meanwhile, Hammers midfielder Declan Rice has admitted that Old Trafford is one of his “favourite places to play” amid speculation he could move to Man Utd in the summer.

Rice’s impressive form over recent years for West Ham and the England national side have seen him linked with a move away from the London Stadium, with Old Trafford tipped as a likely destination.

And following the Red Devils’ last-gasp 1-0 victory over the Hammers on Saturday – which bumped Man Utd into the top four – Rice said that Old Trafford was one of his “favourite places to play”.

Rice said: “I was loving it. Every time I come to Old Trafford, I’ve always said it’s one of my favourite places to play. It’s an amazing stadium.”