Town boss Kieran McKenna says “it’s less likely than likely” that the Blues will sign another striker before this evening’s 11pm deadline, but confirmed that discussions with Chelsea regarding Armando Broja have been reignited.

Another striker looks to be the only business remaining for Town after a busy window but McKenna isn’t expecting that elusive 13th signing to be made, although isn’t ruling it out.

“I think it’s less likely than likely at the moment, but it’s not impossible,” he said. “It’s a position that we’ve looked at to strengthen, to be deep and strong in that area and also because we have some injuries in our forward line.

“The club are continuing to work hard, as we said it would do right to the last bit of the window, and if there is the right opportunity for the right player that improves us, then we’ll look to do it.

“If it’s not possible, then we’ll progress with the squad that we have, which we have a lot of faith in, in all the players we have in the squad and the players that we have in those areas as well.”

Earlier this lunchtime, The Athletic reported that Town and Chelsea were back in talks regarding Broja after the deal appeared to collapse yesterday following protracted negotiations regarding the £30 million loan-with-a-view-to-buy move which had appeared set to go through 10 days ago.

An achilles injury which was identified in his medical and which is set to keep him out for seven weeks had been the sticking point with the clubs having failed to find a resolution in the subsequent days.

However, McKenna says talks are back on with it having been reported that the Blues have had two new offers rebuffed for the Albania international, while other sides are also showing interest, one probably Everton, who have been linked for some while.

Asked whether the move for Broja is back on, McKenna said: “My focus has been on getting ready for Fulham, I’ve just come in from training for that.

“There have been discussions with Armando, that’s not a secret, it’s not a secret that he has an injury issue.

“I think the clubs are ongoing with those discussions and it has to be the right thing for all parties.

“It has to be the right thing for us, that he can come and have a positive impact at a point in the season. The right thing for Armando, of course, because it’s a very important moment for his young career, and the right decision for Chelsea.

“Those parties are continuing to discuss while I’m focusing on Fulham and we’ll see what’s right and hopefully the best resolution will be found by this evening.”

As reported earlier, Town have made an enquiry to Middlesbrough for Ivorian international Emmanuel Latte Lath, but McKenna wouldn’t comment on the interest.

“I never speak to any player [with another club],” he said. “Armando’s situation might be a little bit different as it’s publicised that he’s not with Chelsea’s first-team squad at the moment. With any player who is active with another team, we’ll never mention their names.”

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

cooper4england added 16:16 - Aug 30 I said a few days ago that Chelsea are desperate to off load players and the ball is entirely in our court. Would not be surprised if he signs on loan now but Chelsea cover his wages till fit then we pick up wages from when he starts playing. Also doubt there will be a mandatory buy clause either. In that case a deffo winner. And still room to get LL.... Cool J!

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churchmans added 16:18 - Aug 30 Yeah with January so close after his rehabilitation you would think so
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billlm added 16:33 - Aug 30 Algarvefan your probably right everything is cloak and dagger in football,
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wischip added 16:44 - Aug 30 Is Kieran channelling Donald Rumsfeld now? We have known unknowns and unknown knowns.
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SickParrot added 17:06 - Aug 30 We need to sign a centre forward who is fit to play because if Delap gets injured we'll only have Al Hamadi and he's not fully fit. Hirst has been injured since early pre season, so we've had plenty of time to sign someone. I accept that we intended to sign Broja but we should've had an alternative lined up. If we do fail to sign a centre forward today we will have potentially undermind a lot of the good work we have done in this transfer window.

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SickParrot added 17:10 - Aug 30 Just remembered that we still have Ladapo as well but this doesn't change my viwe that me must sign another!
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Blue_In_Boston added 17:14 - Aug 30 What is it with the mention of Martial by two different posters? No doubt he has talent but over the last few years he has done absolutely nothing and earns tens of millions.
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johnwarksshorts added 17:20 - Aug 30 Don't sign him if he's going to be out for 6 weeks, what a saga
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:22 - Aug 30 Broya is the one for me. I knew this deal wasn’t finished, there’s no such thing as ‘official’ interest and there’s no such thing as ‘no official’ interest. It’s just people making deals and sometimes you need to walk away to get a better one. Not saying we’ll sign him because there’s Chelsea doing the best they can to get a deal too. I would much rather get our top target in 2 or 3 months than 2nd choice right now.

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bluelad7 added 17:24 - Aug 30 Sick parrot…. You remembering we have ladapo “but this doesn't change my viwe that me must sign another!” what another ladapo?!!!
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TimmyH added 17:25 - Aug 30 hahahahahahahaha!!!...this has been more on and off than a lady of the nights knickers :)
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SickParrot added 17:52 - Aug 30 For Bluelad7 My post was about the need to sign another fit centre forward but hopefully an upgrade on Ladapo. In fairness to him, he was signed to get us out of League 1 and he contributed to that, but his ceiling is Championship at best.
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legoman added 17:54 - Aug 30 I reckon we will sign both.
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Leejames99 added 18:03 - Aug 30 Broja is a great player did you not see him at Euros? And he been training and playing with some amazing talented players. Imagine the quality in the box from all sides and down the middle. I think we will sign both LL permenant and Broja on loan with Chelsea paying him until he fit.artial is a good shout because he is on a free but I think he be on silly wages but then again will he want to have no club, that would be a shame. Few hours to go, this forum is hilarious all the boo hoo people, too many players etc ridiculous, look how many players Chelsea, Villa, Forest, Leicester, Southampton signing. We ate no different and the only goal is to stay in Prem and if not we now have the cream of the championship in all positions, ( I hope we get Nick Pope back as keeper oneday) Stop moaning and support Mckenna and the team, we are in the premiership now - enjoy it!

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mattown added 18:03 - Aug 30 I think you might be right Legoman, tunnel vision McKenna gonna keep us in this league!
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bucket99 added 18:15 - Aug 30 I feel like the headline doesn't match Kieran's quoted comments. Personally, I don't think Broja is anywhere near good enough to come into the team. I don't doubt that he could become good enough, because we know how well he'd be coached with us. But if there's an existing problem I just can't see a reason to go further with it.
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mattown added 18:30 - Aug 30 We all know we’re on a promise with MK, Ashton did that deal in May. It’s a mental amount of recruitment, but that was the deal, and rightly so. And take a look at our team boys and girls. MK plays it right, we’re better than Everton and Wolves
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