Kieran McKenna has revealed that talks between Ipswich Town and Chelsea on a deal for Armando Broja have restarted.
Ipswich came close to signing the 22-year-old on loan with a £30 million option to make the move permanent earlier in the window, but their pursuit of Broja stopped.
The Albania international’s injury problem has raised concern among many at Ipswich. McKenna, however, confirmed that conversations with Chelsea are ongoing ahead of the Premier League’s 11 p.m. transfer deadline on Friday evening.
Ipswich resume Broja talks
“There have been negotiations with Armando; this is not a secret. It’s no secret that he has an injury problem. The clubs are in conversation; it must be the best option for all sides,” McKenna remarked at his pre-match press conference before facing Fulham.
“It has to be the right thing for us, that he can come in and have an impact at a certain point in the season. It must be the right thing for Armando, since it is a pivotal point in his young career, as well as the correct option for Chelsea, therefore those parties are still in talks.
“We will see what’s right and hopefully the best resolution will be found by this evening.”
Middlesbrough forward an alternative for Ipswich
According to the BBC, Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath is being investigated as a replacement. However, the Championship club is hesitant to move the Ivorian, who scored 18 goals in 36 games for Michael Carrick’s team last season.