Fabrizio Romano has posted a behind the scenes picture and it’s brilliant news for London rivals Chelsea and West Ham.
There may be no love lost between West Ham and Chelsea but they share one big thing in common this season.
After sizeable rebuilds for both the Hammers and the Blues – Chelsea’s clearly being bigger and more expensive than West Ham’s – both clubs have been accused of neglecting a key area.
West Ham were already counting the cost of failing to sign a new striker in the summer. That was before injuries to Michail Antonio and top scorer Jarrod Bowen over the international break.
Chelsea did have a striker signed in the shape of Christopher Nkunku. But the France international is yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues after suffering a major blow to his knee during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
It is fair to say Chelsea’s biggest problem all season has been not having a deadly finisher to put the ball in the net, often dominating games only to lose or draw.
The 26-year-old forward, who was expected to be out until as late as the New Year, could be set for an incredible Chelsea return ahead of schedule, though.
Now Fabrizio Romano has posted a behind the scenes picture and it’s brilliant news for Chelsea and West Ham.
Transfer ITK Romano took to X to share an image of Nkunku getting his boots on for training alongside someone West Ham fans know well – striker Armando Broja.
“Christopher Nkunku, preparing for his return… now very, very close,” Romano said alongside the image.
The Hammers have been incessantly linked with a move to sign Broja for the best part of two years now.
West Ham are planning to sign a striker in the January transfer window and have – yet again this week – been linked with Slough-born Albania international Broja.
The likes of TEAMtalk have claimed West Ham will renew their attempts to sign Broja from Chelsea in January after the injuries to Antonio and Bowen provided a timely wake-up call.
And Nkunku’s imminent return could not have come at a better time for Chelsea and West Ham.
He is the player the Blues need to lead the line in their ever improving side. And he will also push Broja further down the pecking order, which can only help West Ham’s chances of signing him.
The Hammers can offer Broja guaranteed starts and European football all while remaining in London.
So Romano’s image from Cobham could carry a wonderful irony in six weeks’ time.
