Armando Broja to Lazio transfer truth revealed as Burnley exit talk swirls | OneFootball

The truth of Serie A side Lazio's transfer interest in Burnley striker Armando Broja has been revealed, with the Albanian scoring once last season...

Burnley's Armando Broja could be on the move this summer after just one season at Turf Moor following a permanent move from Chelsea.

Armando Broja cost Burnley around £20 million to buy from Chelsea, but the striker has flattered to deceive since then. The London-born Albanian scored one and assisted two from 26 appearances for Burnley last season.

Relegation could revitalise his career, should the 24-year-old be willing to remain at Turf Moor. Prior to that, however, Broja looked destined to establish himself as a Premier League striker after his impressive loan spell at Southampton during the 2021/22 season.

The Albania international showcased real pace and power, scoring regularly enough to suggest he could perhaps become Chelsea's long-term answer up front. However, his career has largely stalled ever since. A series of injuries, most notably a serious knee problem, have repeatedly disrupted his development and prevented him from building any momentum.

Burnley receive Lazio enquiry for Armando Broja

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Subsequent loan spells have also failed to reignite his career, with Broja struggling to rediscover the confidence and sharpness that made him such a handful at St. Mary's. The talent is still clearly there, while he arguably possesses the attributes to succeed in the Premier League.

The problem is that persistent fitness setbacks have stopped him from consistently proving that on the pitch. He failed to score or asisst at all for Everton, while eight appearances for Fulham brought about just one assist.

During his stint with Southampton, Broja scored nine and assisted two from his 38 appearances overall. Burnley are yet to see that sort of return, albeit he has never set foot in the Championship. That could be the fresh start required, unless Broja fancies a move abroad.

However, there have since been developments over the centre-forward's future at Turf Moor. Italian giants Lazio are said to have enquired about Broja's availability, per Amar Mehta of Sky Sports.

The report states Lazio have made an initial enquiry for Broja, but that the Serie A club haven't gone beyond the enquiry. That said, the Burnley striker is understood to be one of the names on their transfer shortlist this summer.

Why Armando Broja should remain at Burnley in the Championship

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In truth, Broja may ultimately be better off remaining with Burnley in the Championship, even if the division's relentless schedule poses questions over whether his body can cope after a series of injury setbacks.

More than anything, the Albanian needs regular football and, crucially, regular goals to rebuild his confidence. Despite an excellent scoring record throughout Chelsea's academy and youth ranks, Broja has only produced one senior season in double figures, achieving that during his loan spell with Vitesse five years ago.

Since then, injuries and inconsistent game time have stalled his progress. The Championship could absolutely provide the ideal platform to reignite his career. If Burnley are prepared to show faith in him and manage his fitness carefully, Broja has every chance of rediscovering the goalscoring instincts that once marked him out as one of Chelsea's brightest young forwards.

Will they be able to recoup much of the £20 million fee from Lazio anyway? If not, then he is better off spending another year with Burnley at the very least. Nicky Hayen will surely want more of a look at him this summer, too.