Transfer Centre

Inter Milan chief plays down transfer links with Chelsea forward Armando Broja

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 10 October 2023

Inter chief plays down transfer links with Armando Broja

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio plays down speculation linking the Italian club with Chelsea striker Armando Broja ahead of the January transfer window.

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has played down speculation linking the Italian club with Chelsea striker Armando Broja ahead of the January transfer window.

Broja started and scored his first goal in nearly 11 months for the Blues in their 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham on October 2 following a troublesome injury layoff.

Mauricio Pochettino opted to keep hold of the 22-year-old, despite interest from a number of clubs during the summer, to provide competition for new recruit Nicolas Jackson while fellow new addition Christopher Nkunku recovers from a long-term injury.

AC Milan were allegedly exploring the possibility of taking Broja on loan with an option to buy earlier this year, while West Ham United were also credited with an interest.

Broja ultimately stayed put at Stamford Bridge, but speculation over a possible exit remains as Gazzetta dello Sport recently claimed that Inter are considering a January swoop for the striker.

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi reacts on September 24, 2023 © Reuters

Inter, who failed to recruit Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis, signed three forwards in the form of Marcus Thuram, Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic in the summer, but the latter two have struggled to make an immediate impact at San Siro.

Indeed, Sanchez and Arnautovic are yet to score across six and seven appearances respectively, while Thuram has shown his playmaker abilities so far this season having registered seven assists as well as scoring three goals in 10 games across all competitions.

Inter have instead heavily relied on star striker Lautaro Martinez to make the net ripple, with the Argentine scoring 11 times in 10 matches so far this season, but the Italian giants are believed to be keen to bolster their options in the final third in January.

However, Inter chief Ausilio has rubbished reports linking the club with a possible move for Chelsea's Broja or any other striker.

Chelsea's Armando Broja celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on October 2, 2023 © Reuters

"No, I'm sorry, but that is not true, because we are happy with the strikers we have," Ausilio told reporters, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

"I know Broja and I know that he is recovering from a serious injury and has also scored a goal. I hope for him that from Thursday he will be important for the national team. But at Inter there is no chance."

Broja extended his contract with Chelsea last year, keeping him tied to Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2028.

The Blues academy graduate is currently away on international duty with Albania ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Czech Republic and a friendly against Bulgaria later this month.