Exclusive: Ipswich agree loan deal for 'clinical' Chelsea ace, Southampton and Everton were also keen

HITC understands that Ipswich town have agreed a deal with Chelsea for the signing of a striker from the Blues on a season-long loan.

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town kicked off their first Premier League game following promotion to England’s top division against Liverpool, with the Tractor Boys losing 2-0 to Arne Slot’s side.

In terms of signings, the additions of Omari Hutchinson and Sammie Szmodics have been the most standout with the former Blackburn Rovers striker set to be a key addition.

However, sources have told HITC that Ipswich are closing in on another striker addition in the form of Chelsea and Albanian forward Armando Broja.

Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

Ipswich agree Armando Broja loan deal

HITC can reveal that there was interest from his former club Southampton and also Everton, whilst West Ham United and Nottingham Forest had also shown some interest.

Earlier this month, Chelsea’s latest addition Pedro Neto was handed Broja’s shirt number and that was the clearest suggestion yet that the Albanian forward would be departing Stamford Bridge this summer.

HITC did confirm that Broja had been training away from the first team and is now set to leave the club before the transfer window closes at the end of the month with a move to Ipswich being agreed.

Sources have told HITC that Broja has agreed to move to McKenna’s Ipswich on a season-long deal and will undergo a medical in Suffolk on Wednesday.

Last season, Broja was on loan at Fulham but made just eight appearances for the West London club but the Albanian will have another chance in the Premier League for McKenna’s side.

Broja’s move to Ipswich could be permanent

We understand that Ipswich also spoke to Chelsea about David Fofana – but Broja emerged as their first-choice target for the striker role.

HITC also understands that, within Broja’s loan move to Ipswich, there are a number of options within that deal that will see it become mandatory for McKenna’s side to make it permanent, one of these is if Ipswich avoids relegation.

During a loan spell with Southampton back in 2022, Broja was hailed by former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer as ‘clinical’ when speaking to Premier League Productions and the Albanian will be hoping he can rediscover this form for McKenna’s side.

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