Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that discussions are continuing regarding the loan signing of Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

The 22-year-old was allowed to set to sign for the Blues on a loan deal which would become a £30 million permanent deal next summer if Town stay up.

However, an achilles issue emerged in his medical and the clubs have continued to discuss the details of the move, with the Blues presumably looking to mitigate any risk.

Regardless of any long-term issues, the injury is expected to keep the Albanian international out of action for around seven weeks.

It’s understood Chelsea are now giving him a scan to assess for themselves the extent of the problem.

The deal remains up in the air as it stands and the figures involved could change as a result of the continuing negotiations and the West Londoners’ thinking following the scan.

Town boss Kieran McKenna confirmed that talks are still ongoing between the parties, while keeping tight-lipped regarding Chiedozie Ogbene, who we understand it’s hoped will sign in time to be involved in the Carabao Cup tie at Wimbledon tomorrow.

“With Armando, it’s a player we’ve spoken to, I think that’s pretty well known, there are discussions going on with Chelsea at the moment. I’ve not been privy to them over the last 24 hours,” he said at his morning press conference.

“There are discussions ongoing and we’ll see if it’s the right thing for the clubs and the player before Friday.

“Other than that, it’s not right to speak on any other rumours until anything is confirmed.”

Asked to confirm the issue relates to the medical, McKenna added: “I think that’s not right for me to comment on. That’s between the player, first and foremost, and the clubs and there’s discussions ongoing and we’ll see what the resolution is by Friday.”

Photo: Nderim Kaceli/IPA Sport / ipa-agency.net/IPA/Sipa USA

blues1 added 11:47 - Aug 27 Bobby Bell. Yes, of coursexyou can get over an achilles problem permanently. Plenty of players have
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blues1 added 11:49 - Aug 27 Karlosfandangel. The Greek striker isn't out of our reach. Our £25m bid is still on the table.
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Jugsy added 11:52 - Aug 27 This seems a ludicrous situation, taking a player on injured with a huge transfer fee if we stay up. Presumably there's appearance related clauses in the agreement but I'd still rather shop elsewhere. It was widely touted that Sarmiento would be with us this season if we went up but it was not the case, guessing that something in that agreement didn't trigger so hopefully the club do something sensible with this one if they proceed. Actual hoping that they decide to move on...

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Len_Brennan added 11:53 - Aug 27 Has anyone said that he has 'ruptured' his achilles? If it something just picked up in the medical, it can't have been anything as debilitating, and more cautionary. Perhaps the surgery and/or treatment is more for strengthening & preventative, to ensure that a rupture doesn't occur? None of us know the situation, but what we do know is the McKenna, Ashton & this ownership group are serious professionals, who won't be taken as mugs, or jeopardise the financial stability of the club (project in business terms). They will have done their due dilegence if we sign him. Last season Broja was talked about as a £50m player, one that we had no hope of bringing here; but a quiet 4 months at Fulham & Chelsea's ridiculous model had already caused that to be reduced, with a loan first option. McKenna clearly believe that he can turn Broja back into that £50m player & also sees him as the perfect fit for leading the line in the formation he favours most for his sides. I guess the prospect of getting him in now, or the fear of probably missing out on him for years/forever, is too strong a pull to just let it go when so near, even if it means an operstion & 7 weeks out ... presumably to be paid for by Chelsea.

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TimmyH added 12:04 - Aug 27 Jeez...
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Bluemike31 added 12:20 - Aug 27 We haven't got much wrong but signing this guy is fraught with danger, his stats aren't even all that. Personally I'd walk away and try my luck with Middlesbrough for Latte Lath
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blues1 added 12:21 - Aug 27 Jugsy. Sarmiento isn't good enough for the pl. (Just my opinion of course). . As good as he was here last year, his only really great performances came, off the bench. Hence, he only started 5 games. We cant afford to buy players who aren't good enough to start games. As you say tho, I think we did have an option, but clearly mckenna decided not to take it up.
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blues1 added 12:27 - Aug 27 BlueMike31. Get what ur saying about his stats, but stats don't tell the while story. Are Hirsts stats particularly good? No, but he does a particular job for us, and this guy would likely do the same kind of job. Delap is slightly different to them both, but has shown already he can do that job. So signing Broja would give us the ability to rotate the 3 and keep them all fresh, which could be important for us this season. Think we can onlyxasdume, thst as this deal still being pursued, that the injury isn't a massive concern. Just enough for us to want to renegotiate the terms of the deal with Chelsea.

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Karlosfandangal added 12:28 - Aug 27 Blues1 Did not know that….wonder why we have not up it to £30 million and go for a player who can hit the ground running. I did wonder why Town kept going after Hurst…….but KmK and MA proved me wrong on that one and I do hope they do the same with this deal
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cmarkchips added 12:58 - Aug 27 In Mckenna we trust. he would not be pursuing the deal if he was not worth it. The majority of our signings are from the championship whereas this guy has regular premiership experience and has been at chelsea a long time so care is being taken .
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1960H added 13:19 - Aug 27 @Blues1 obviously he would getter medical treatment than I had, add to that he is a lot younger so hopefully recovery time would be quicker, I am just pointing out from personal experience how nasty these injuries are and would it be prudent to fill the squad with a player that will be unavailable for at least the next seven weeks?
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Saxonblue74 added 13:28 - Aug 27 Ifs, buts, maybes and assumptions! I'm trusting our boys who are dealing with actual facts, this is not their first rodeo!!
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Jugsy added 14:45 - Aug 27 blues1 - you've missed the point of my post. I was commenting that the club likely puts triggers in place in loan contracts so that we're not overly exposed. All i'm hearing on Broja is that it's £30 mill if we stay up and that 1) feels above market rate and 2) seems to expose us to a hefty transfer on an outcome that may have nothing to do with his performances.
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