Chelsea striker Armando Broja has reportedly failed a medical at Ipswich Town ahead of a proposed loan move.
The 22-year-old is a product of the Blues academy, enjoying loan spells at Vitesse in the Eredivisie and on the South coast at Southampton before making a real impact on the first team at Stamford Bridge.
Broja featured on 13 occasions in the Premier League last season for Mauricio Pochettino, scoring once, before being loaned out to Fulham for the remainder of the campaign in January.
Struggling with a knee issue and falling behind the likes of Rodrigo Muniz in the pecking order at Craven Cottage, the forward only made eight appearances for Marco Silva's troops.
Having represented Albania on 23 occasions since his senior debut in 2020, Broja possesses relative international pedigree, playing a part at this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany.
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Chelsea's Broja 'fails' Ipswich medical
According to The Sun, Broja's chances of escaping the depths of the Chelsea squad before the end of the summer window have taken a major blow.
The report claims that the 22-year-old has failed a medical at the Tractor Boys, with a supposed Achilles issue identified during the tests.
It is understood that Ipswich are not fully pulling out of a deal, although the newly-promoted side are now assessing other options ahead of Friday's deadline.
Chelsea and Kieran McKenna's side had agreed a season-long loan for Broja to Portman Road, where the Tractor Boys will be battling to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
It is believed that the deal included an obligation to buy the Albanian for £30m next summer if Ipswich were to maintain their Premier League status.
![Sean Dyche during the pre-season friendly match at the Deepdale Stadium, Preston. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2024 [on August 8, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/sean-dyche.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sean Dyche during the pre-season friendly match at the Deepdale Stadium, Preston. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2024 [on August 8, 2024]")
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Everton 'interest' and attacking options
As well as Ipswich, it is stated that out-of-form Everton are also exploring the possibility of securing the services of Broja for the 2024-25 campaign.
Sean Dyche's men have endured a difficult start to their Premier League itinerary, collecting zero points and conceding seven goals across their first two fixtures.
If Ipswich complete the capture of Broja despite concerns surrounding an Achilles injury, the forward would be likely to fight with Liam Delap to be the focal point of attack for the East Anglians.
McKenna also has Sammie Szmodics at his disposal, with the Etihad goalscorer capable of leading the line, while promotion hero George Hirst is currently recovering from a knee injury.
Carter White
