Everton's reported interest in Chelsea's Armando Broja makes sense as the club looks to strengthen following the loss of Richarlison.
The Blues are said to have joined the race for the striker, who impressed while on loan at Southampton last season and is thought to be a target for a host of Premier League sides. Interest from Goodison Park comes as Frank Lampard attempts to improve his squad during a pre-season shortened due to the World Cup being held in the winter.
The manager, who oversaw the first team squad's return to training at Finch Farm on Monday, has been expected to try and exploit his links with former club Chelsea this summer with Broja one of several talents potentially available.
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Everton have one month before the season starts with a home tie against Chelsea. Centre back James Tarkowski has signed for the Blues after his contract with relegated Burnley expired. The 29-year-old was among those who attended Finch Farm on the first day of pre-season. The club hope his arrival will be followed by further additions with Jesse Lingard among the players to have been spoken to. Club bosses have been hopeful of securing another signing before the Blues leave for the pre-season tour of the US, though time is running out ahead of the squad's departure next week.
Speaking about his recruitment plans, Lampard said on Tuesday: "When you look forward, you think about how you can strengthen in different areas, ‘How would this look?’. It is vital to get that right. It will be a big challenge for me and the club… to make sure we go in the right direction, because it is clear we don’t want to be fighting relegation and recruitment will be a big part of that."
Lampard is keen to develop a side that "I love seeing and coaching, a team the fans love seeing" but has been constrained by circumstances. Everton only confirmed their Premier League status in the penultimate game of last season, the threat of relegation preventing the club from getting a headstart on its summer plans while there was uncertainty over its survival.
The club's proximity to profit and sustainability regulations is also limiting its activity this summer as Everton attempt to steer the right side of Premier League guidelines after losses totalling more than £370m across the three previous financial years.
The club insist there is room to spend money if necessary and have been bolstered by the £60m package agreed with Tottenham Hotspur last week. It was expected Lampard would attempt to exploit his legendary status at Chelsea even without the backdrop he is operating against. Last season several Stamford Bridge loanees impressed in the Premier League, including Conor Gallagher at Crystal Palace and Broja. Billy Gilmour enjoyed less success at Norwich City but is another prospect who may be made available by Thomas Tuchel. Lampard gave Broja and Gilmour their first team debuts while he was in charge at Chelsea.
Broja scored six times in the league in his breakout season last year, appearing composed in front of goal and showing glimpses of pace and strength that could be crucial following the loss of Richarlison. With Everton in desperate need of support for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a deal for the 20-year-old would see the arrival of a player with Premier League experience and, with little time to prepare for the upcoming season, an existing relationship with Lampard. It would also fit into the transfer dynamic expected under director of football Kevin Thelwell and Lampard who, while they accept there is a need to be pragmatic about strengthening Everton, hope to target young, hungry prospects they can develop at Finch Farm where possible.
Lampard is also known to be a fan of Broja - ahead of Everton's tie with Southampton in February he said: "I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a good lad, a very talented young boy. He came to us at the start of the Covid times and trained with us and is showing his attributes with Southampton now. Fast, strong. Has a real eye for goal. A very, very good player. I’m very aware of his strength."
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