ARMANDO BROJA’S future has been plunged back into uncertainty after West Ham United scaled back their interest in the Chelsea striker, who is also a transfer target of Newcastle United.

Having made an early return from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, Broja had looked destined to join the Hammers ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

However, while West Ham officials held a number of talks with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge, the Albania international was always David Moyes’ second-choice option for a new centre-forward.

His preferred option is Gianluca Scamacca, and the Hammers finally made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the Italy international when they agreed a £30.5m fee with Sassuolo at the weekend.

Provided the Scamacca deal is completed as planned in the next few days, West Ham will call off their pursuit of Broja, leaving the path open for other clubs provided Chelsea agree to either sell or loan the 20-year-old.

Newcastle made a series of inquiries over Broja earlier in the summer, and would be interested in a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer in 12 months’ time.

Everton have also lodged an interest in the striker, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, although the Toffees’ preference is understood to be for a permanent transfer now rather than an initial loan.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had hinted that Broja would not be forming part of his plans for next season, hence his willingness to allow the youngster to move to the London Stadium.

However, with Romelu Lukaku having left Stamford Bridge this summer, there have been suggestions in the London media that Broja might now remain with the Chelsea squad for the first half of the campaign.

Newcastle are seeking clarification over the situation, with Eddie Howe still keen to sign a striker and a wide attacker before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

With the Premier League market proving difficult to negotiate – Newcastle are interested in Jack Harrison, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, but feel that are three players are currently overpriced – the Magpies’ recruitment team are increasingly focusing their attention overseas.

They have made an initial inquiry about Rennes’ Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana, and also have an interest in Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko.

Sesko scored the opening goal as Salzburg kicked off the new Austrian season with a 3-0 win over Austria Vienna on Friday night, and as revealed in The Northern Echo last week, the 19-year-old would ideally like to remain with his current employers for another season.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have both lined up potential moves for Sesko next summer, but the situation could be further complicated by mounting interest in the teenager from Manchester United.

New Old Trafford Erik ten Hag is a long-standing admirer of Sesko, and has instructed the club’s recruitment team investigate the possibility of signing the youngster this summer.

Red Bull Salzburg value Sesko at around €55m, a price tag that would rule Newcastle out of the running anyway unless there was scope for negotiation.