Journalist Simon Phillips, writing on Substack, has reported that Ipswich Town is eyeing an audacious summer transfer move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, as manager Kieran McKenna aims to bolster his squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Despite Ipswich’s interest, competition for Broja is fierce, with clubs such as Monaco and AC Milan from Europe showing keen interest. Additionally, Premier League clubs Wolves, Everton, and Crystal Palace are reportedly keeping tabs on the young striker. Championship side Watford has also emerged as a contender for Broja, with reports suggesting an ambitious move to secure his services.

Broja, who had a loan spell at Fulham last season, was not pursued permanently by the Cottagers, despite Chelsea reducing his price tag from £50 million to £30 million. Pundit Carlton Palmer, speaking to Football League World, expressed his views on the situation, questioning Broja’s Premier League readiness and suggesting that Ipswich should consider signing Kieffer Moore from Bournemouth instead.

Palmer highlighted that while Chelsea may seek a substantial fee for Broja due to his long-term contract, his performance at the top level remains unproven. He speculated that Broja might end up on loan in Europe or the Championship or be sold at a reduced price, given the current circumstances.

Overall, Palmer emphasized that the reported £30-35 million fee for Broja might be too high, urging Ipswich to explore other options like Moore for a more suitable signing.Ipswich Town has never been known for splurging on big-money signings. Instead, their Championship promotion-winning squad was meticulously crafted through clever loan deals, budget-friendly acquisitions, and free agents.

For the club to deviate from this frugal approach and invest a substantial sum in recruiting Broja, fans would naturally expect a solid return on their investment. However, Broja’s track record indicates that such assurances may be hard to come by, particularly as he transitions from a promising youngster to a player who needs to deliver tangible results soon.

With just six goals in his most prolific Premier League season so far, garnered from 32 appearances with Southampton in the 2021/22 season, Broja is still on the cusp of proving himself at the highest level. Therefore, it might be more prudent for Ipswich to resist spending a significant portion of their budget on an untested Premier League striker like Broja, and instead stick to the recruitment strategy that has served them well thus far—a strategy built on astute signings, modest transfer fees, and effective scouting.