Broja makes transfer deadline day Chelsea exit as Blues give up financial hope

Fulham have agreed a beat-the-deadline loan move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

The Cottagers will pay up to £4m for the loan agreement until the end of the season with the full price depending on how many games he plays. Chelsea had started the window by demanding £50m for the Albania international as they were initially reluctant to loan him but lowered their price as they struggled to get a deal done.

However, with no takers at £40m, they decided to sanction a loan deal and it was then down to Broja to decide his destination with Wolves also interested while AC Milan had also enquired.

Fulham have been keen throughout to bolster their strike force after struggling to replace Alexander Mitrovic’s goals since his departure. Broja, 22, is set to join until the summer and then decide on his long term future in the hope that he will get regular game time to prove himself.

Chelsea have insisted that they do not need to sell to fall into line with Profit and Sustainability Rules following new owner Todd Boehly’s £1billion spending spree since he took over.

But there has been a push to trim the squad to help balance the books and also gear up for the summer when their priority will be a top class No9.

They were open to selling Conor Gallagher in this window but no-one matched their £50m-plus asking price while the England midfielder has been determined to stay and fight for his place.

Gallagher has 18 months left on his deal so he will have to agree a new deal or face being sold in the summer. But now Broja’s departure will help Chelsea’s finances and is a major boost for Fulham after their recent dip in results and exits from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.