Reigning Serie A champions AC Milan are reportedly planning to move for Armando Broja next year and view the Chelsea striker as a replacement for Divock Origi.
Milan signed Origi on a free transfer in July after the expiry of his Liverpool contract. The Belgian had won plenty of trophies while at Anfield but opted not to extend his spell there as he wanted to pick up more game time.
Origi had become a brilliant impact substitute under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but believed he could force his way into Milan’s starting lineup this season.
Things haven’t gone to plan for him in Italy, however. Origi has made four appearances so far and all of them have lasted for less than 35 minutes.
He is struggling to make an impact and is unlikely to become Milan’s main forward. Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Olivier Giroud is their usual striker, and he is in good form too. Five goals have come his way in nine matches this term.
And if Giroud picks up an injury, then Milan boss Stefano Pioli can use summer signing Charles De Ketelaere up front instead.
Italian journalist Alvise Cagnazzo thinks Origi has been so bad that he is Serie A’s ‘worst signing of the season’.
He claims the move has been a ‘disaster’ and that the player is on a ‘downward curve in his career’, despite being 27 years old.
AC Milan to replace Origi
Not only is Origi struggling with his form, he is also having to deal with injury problems.
It’s no surprise therefore that the Rossoneri are looking at attacking reinforcements for next year. Another factor to consider is Giroud’s age – the Frenchman is now 35 and will not be able to lead their forward line forever.
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, as cited by Sport Witness, a potential solution is Broja.
Milan want to sign a relatively young striker next year to give Pioli a long-term option up front. And Broja, who is 21 years old, fits perfectly into this category.
The report claims Milan are planning to offer between £30.5m and £35m (€35m-€40m) for the Chelsea attacker.
Rossoneri have scouted Armando Broja
The Italian outfit sent scouts to watch Broja during his loan spell at Southampton last campaign. And they continue to hold an interest in him, despite Broja now getting opportunities in the Chelsea first team.
Tuttosport states Broja’s ultimate aim is to become Chelsea’s main striker. He wants to get ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Graham Potter’s pecking order, even if this may be tough.
Despite this, Milan are planning to come forward with a proposal for Broja next year. One thing the report fails to mention is whether this will occur in January or next summer.
Broja would be a top replacement for Origi. He has shown he can find the net while at Southampton and should be able to improve on his record in Italy.
However, Milan may struggle to capture him. Chelsea officials rate the Albanian highly and think he could save them money.
With Romelu Lukaku on loan at Inter and Aubameyang in the twilight years of his career, keeping Broja could prevent them from having to spend big on a new centre-forward.
Milan do have alternatives, just in case the player stays in west London. They are Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax,
