Real Madrid have reportedly enquired about the availability of Chelsea forward Armando Broja.
Despite having only made one substitute appearance for the Blues, Broja has emerged has one of the most sought-after prospects during the summer transfer window.
Having impressed during loan spells with Vitesse and Southampton, West Ham United were interested in signing the 20-year-old before they eventually completed a deal for Gianluca Scamacca.
Newcastle United and Napoli are also said to be monitoring any developments with the Albania international, who is known to want first-team football during 2022-23.
However, according to the Evening Standard, Real Madrid are the latest club to express an interest in signing Broja this summer.
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Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has previously insisted that he would be making no further signings on the back of already securing deals for Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Nevertheless, with Karim Benzema due to turn 35 years of age in December and Eden Hazard relatively unproven as a central forward or false nine, there is scope for another striker being signed before the start of September.
Should the La Liga and Champions League winners eventually make a formal bid for Broja, it is expected to be rejected by Chelsea.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel has frequently talked up his desire to assess Broja during pre-season with the possibility of including the academy graduate in his senior squad for the upcoming campaign.
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With Broja said to have no interest in a third loan spell away from Stamford Bridge, Tuchel has allegedly responded by informing the club's new owners that he will not give the green light to a sale.
At the same time that the saga over the forward's long-term future has been progressing, reporter Nizaar Kinsella acknowledges that Broja has been promoted to "first-team status".
Although Broja has missed out on making appearances during pre-season, that has been down to an injury, rather than any developments regarding an exit.
Broja is also said to have been handed a squad number for the new campaign, potentially a sign that he is likely to remain in West London.
As it stands, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are Tuchel's options down the middle, but Havertz has failed to make much of an impact in pre-season and doubts remain over the future of Werner.
Darren Plant
