
Chelsea outcast Armando Broja in talks with four clubs including Champions League giants after injury nightmare
ARMANDO BROJA could FINALLY be set to end his Chelsea nightmare this summer.
The Albanian hitman, 23, is in talks over a move away from Stamford Bridge with four potential suitors.
4
4
Broja featured in just 10 league games at Everton last season after being hit with injuries.
He suffered an Achilles tendon problem that kept him out for 95 days.
Then when he returned, he had an ankle injury that sidelined him for another 58 days.
By the time he was fit to play again the season was almost over and other players had already established themselves in the team.
Before that, he spent the second half of the 2023/2024 season out on loan at Fulham without being able to properly make a statement.
Sources have told SunSport that AC Milan and Ajax have both been in touch ahead of what will be a busy summer at Chelsea.
Talks with Dutch side PSV and German's RB Leipzig have already taken place.
Broja burst onto the scene during a stellar loan spell at Southampton in 2021/22, scoring six league goals with his blend of pace, power, and clever movement.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
But injuries and competition for places at Chelsea saw him slide down the pecking order.
And with the Blues targeting a new No9 again this summer, his days at Stamford Bridge look numbered.
Chelsea finally discover Club World Cup opponents as former star, 38, assists dramatic winner to set up reunion
4
The London-born Albanian striker 's contract at Chelsea runs until 2028 with a club extension option inserted but SunSport understands the player desires a permanent move.
Chelsea are willing to do business and a fee in the region of £20million could see them agree to a total sale for a player who came through the Chelsea academy.
With the World Cup qualifiers coming up and Albania needing their talisman firing, Broja is determined to make the right move and get back to his best.
4

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Reaction & analysis as Sinner and Alcaraz reach French Open final
Update: Date: 22:00 BST 6 June Title: Thanks for joining us Content: That's everything from us as the men's semi-finals draw to a close. So, it's world number one Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to meet in the final on Sunday. We'll be back tomorrow for the women's singles final when it's also world number one Aryna Sabalenka against second seed Coco Gauff. We will also be covering the men's doubles final when British duo Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury meet Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos. Here's a little bedtime reading in the meantime: Update: Date: 21:59 BST 6 June Title: What is the prize money? Content: Victory for Jannik Sinner keeps him on track for a huge payday if he comes through against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. The total prize money for the French Open is 56.352m euros (£47.5m) - an increase on last year of 5.21%. The men's and women's singles champions will win 2.55m euros (£2.15m), with the runner-up taking home 1.275m euros (£1.07m). Update: Date: 21:57 BST 6 June Title: Top-tier finals Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic The top-two players in the world have reached the finals in both the men's and women's singles at a single Grand Slam event for the first time since the US Open 2013 (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka). Update: Date: 21:55 BST 6 June Title: 'It will be an amazing final' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (7-3) Djokovic Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds The thing that Novak Djokovic tried to do today is Carlos' natural game. The variation, the drop shots, coming to the net. Novak can do it, but he would like to be as machine-like as Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz will play very well within a comfort zone. I'm sure it will be an amazing final and I can't wait for it. Update: Date: 21:52 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic On Sunday, two players born in 2000s - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner - meet in a men's singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time. Let's do an early poll. Thumbs up if world number one Sinner wins or thumbs down for defending champion Alcaraz. Update: Date: 21:50 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) The way Djokovic played as a 38-year-old just shows me how far away Sinner is to his level at his peak. Best male tennis player to grace the game. To be the sixth best player in the world at his age is an indictment on the talent pool at the moment. Lauren, Oldham Update: Date: 21:47 BST 6 June Title: 'My head-to-head doesn't look great against Carlos' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner on facing Carlos Alcaraz in the final: "My head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos, but let's see what I can do. "I am happy to be here in the final, and we will see what we can do. "Of course, I enjoy these moments. These are rare and special moments in my career. "This is a special place for me. Thank you for being so nice to me throughout the full tournament." Update: Date: 21:42 BST 6 June Title: 'Djokovic is the best player in the history of our sport' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner on his win: "Well, first of all, thank you so much for coming and for supporting us, me and Novak. "It was such a special occasion for me playing against Novak in a semi-final of a Grand Slam. "It was so amazing, I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players. "What he is doing is incredible. I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis. "He achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport. Playing against him here is amazing. "Of course, I tried not to think about this, but before you're on court you feel the tension. I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way. "I am very happy with how I did that today." Update: Date: 21:41 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner now boasts four successive wins over Novak Djokovic, dating back to November 2023. He is yet to drop a set at this year's French Open and will delighted to have seen off Novak Djokovic in straight sets as he now switches his attention to Carlos Alcaraz. Let's hear from the Italian. Update: Date: 21:37 BST 6 June Title: Stunning Sinner Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner is just the second Italian in the Open era to reach the men's singles final at Roland Garros after Adriano Panatta in 1976. The 23-year-old is the youngest player to reach three consecutive men's singles finals at Grand Slams since Pete Sampras in 1994. He is also the first player to reach eight consecutive ATP-level event finals since Novak Djokovic did so in 2015. Update: Date: 21:35 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Novak Djokovic's quest for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam goes now switches to Wimbledon next month. The Serb just couldn't find a way to chip away at world number one Jannik Sinner this evening. He took his bag off and took a moment to wave at the crowd before leaving Philippe Chatrier. Was it a farewell? Will we see him again at the French Open? Update: Date: 21:31 BST 6 June Title: 'Take a bow Djokovic' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds Those were three hard-fought sets. High quality sets and take a bow Novak Djokovic. The way he played today, I think he should be in the circle of contenders at Wimbledon. Update: Date: 21:30 BST 6 June Title: Sinner reaches French Open Final Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Novak Djokovic puts into the net and Jannik Sinner is through to his first French Open final. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz awaits. Changing of the guard? Update: Date: 21:28 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (6-2) Djokovic Novak Djokovic goes long and Jannik Sinner has four match points. Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds It's like in football when you have a team pressing on you and at one point you will make a mistake. That's how it feels to play Jannik Sinner. Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with a booming forehand and Novak Djokovic, forced deep behind the baseline, can only return into the net. Djokovic needs a break back quickly or his dream of winning a 25th Grand Slam title will be put on pause until Wimbledon. A couple of holds and Sinner is firmly in control. Update: Date: 21:25 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Before this ends and we give Sinner his rightful plaudits. A word for Djokovic at 38 years of age, still fighting with the best young player in the world and battling like he's the same age. Too disliked in his time, he will be better recognised once he's gone. Zac Update: Date: 21:24 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-2) Djokovic Back on serve and Novak Djokovic quickly moves on from that error. A couple of points in the bag will do his mood the world of good. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: 'Djokovic stopped moving his feet' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds We just had a replay and Novak Djokovic stopped moving his feet. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with another wide serve to extend his lead. Oh no. Novak Djokovic is teed up with the easiest of shots to volley but he gets it's all wrong and it's straight into the net.


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Post Office compensation chief steps down after Sir Alan Bates raised 'serious concerns' about schemes
A Post Office boss who backed compensation for Horizon IT scandal victims has left his position as Sir Alan Bates raised 'serious concerns' about schemes. Leader of the Post Office's Remediation Unit, Simon Recaldin, is believed to have opted for voluntary redundancy and left his post this week. It comes as the first part of a public inquiry report into the controversy, analysing the compensation process as well as the affect on victims, is anticipated to be released in the coming weeks. More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts. Hundreds are still waiting for payouts despite the previous government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000. A Post Office spokesperson said yesterday Mr Recaldin's departure was a part of an 'organisational design exercise' across the firm. Now Joanne Hanley, who was previously a managing director and global head of client servicing, data and operations for Lloyds', is understood to have taken up a large portion of the former Post Office chief, according to The Telegraph. It comes as Post Office hero Sir Alan Bates accused the government of running a 'quasi kangaroo court' payout system for the scandal's victims last month. More recently, Sir Alan said he would prefer to see the compensation schemes thrown out rather the people working on them. 'We have got serious concerns about the transparency and the parity across the schemes,' he told The Telegraph. Last November, Mr Recaldin giving evidence to the inquiry, apologised after it was unearthed staff who were managing compensation claims had also been embroiled in prosecutions relating to the scandal. When queried about ex Post Office investigators he said: 'So my regret – and it is a genuine regret – is that when I came in, in January 2022, that I didn't do that conflicts check, check back on my inherited team, and challenge that.' It comes as the Sir Alan, who famously won his High Court battle with the Post Office in 2019 revealed that he had been handed a 'take it or leave it' compensation offer of less than half his original claim. Mr Bates, 70, said the first offer, made in January last year, was just one sixth of what he was asking for, adding that it rose to a third in the second offer. He has now been given a 'final take it or leave it offer' - which he said amounts to 49.2 per cent of his original claim. He, alongside 500 other sub-postmasters, will now have to lodge their bid for compensation via the Group Litigation order, managed by the Government. Bates, who led the sub-postmasters' campaign for justice, attacked the government for reneging on assurances given when the compensation schemes were set up The Post Office currently manages the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which is seperate to the aforementioned. This scheme was organised for victims who have not been compensated but believe they experienced financial loses due to the IT scandal. A Post Office spokesman said: 'As part of the Post Office's commitment to deliver a 'new deal for postmasters', we have undertaken a review of our operating model to ensure we have the right structure in place. 'We have been in consultation with a number of colleagues from across the business, including the Remediation Unit. As a result of this Post Office-wide organisational design exercise, Simon Recaldin has left the business.'

Finextra
3 hours ago
- Finextra
Preparing for BNPL regulation: What firms need to do now: By Ben O'Brien
The arrival of formal regulation for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products is no longer a question of if, but when. With the Treasury's May 2025 consultation response, the direction is this: by mid-2026, third-party BNPL lenders will fall within the scope of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This change brings with it a full set of regulatory requirements—covering affordability, creditworthiness, redress, disclosures, and governance. While many firms are familiar with the general framework, the pace and detail of implementation demand serious attention. Risk leaders now face a critical window to build a strategy that aligns commercial goals with regulatory readiness. Scope of the new BNPL regime From mid-2026, third-party BNPL providers must be authorised by the FCA and comply with its rules on affordability, creditworthiness, consumer duty, complaints, disclosures, and more: Mandatory, proportionate affordability and creditworthiness checks Firms must demonstrate verifiable checks at the point of decisioning, aligned to individual circumstances, not just product type. Firms must demonstrate verifiable checks at the point of decisioning, aligned to individual circumstances, not just product type. Access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) BNPL customers can now escalate complaints to FOS, increasing the importance of auditable redress processes and timely resolution. BNPL customers can now escalate complaints to FOS, increasing the importance of auditable redress processes and timely resolution. Tailored disclosure requirements for digital-first products The FCA will introduce a bespoke regime focused on real-world comprehension — not just information delivery. Firms will need to test and evidence understanding. The FCA will introduce a bespoke regime focused on real-world comprehension — not just information delivery. Firms will need to test and evidence understanding. Extension of Section 75 protections to BNPL agreements Providers will be jointly liable for qualifying claims, requiring clear merchant oversight, governance controls, and capital planning to manage new exposure. While third-party BNPL is the initial focus, merchant-offered BNPL products remain outside the perimeter for now. This exemption, based on Article 60F(2) of the Regulated Activities Order, is under review and could be revisited if scale or harm increases. What this means for compliance and risk leaders The FCA isn't looking for surface-level compliance. It expects firms to demonstrate that processes are working and that consumers are genuinely protected. Affordability frameworks must evolve Checks must be proportionate and verifiable, with models recalibrated to reflect customer circumstances. Even low-value lending must evidence the potential for harm reduction. Complaint handling will need to be FOS-ready This includes robust audit trails, clear redress pathways, MI reporting on themes, and training on FOS processes. Joint liability introduces new exposure Providers must enhance governance around merchant partnerships, define liability clearly in contracts, and plan for potential claims in their capital models. Joined-up governance is essential Effective programmes will require close collaboration across credit, compliance, legal, product, and ops teams—with clear ownership under SM&CR. Disclosures must reflect real-world understanding It's not just about format. The FCA expects firms to test, monitor, and evidence comprehension—particularly for vulnerable customers. Making best use of the Temporary Permissions Regime The FCA will launch a Temporary Permissions Regime (TPR) to support the transition. Providers must be ready to act quickly when the window opens. Prepare for registration Ensure that internal records, model documentation, and business models are clearly aligned with regulatory expectations. Conduct a readiness assessment Review decisioning processes, affordability checks, complaints management, and financial crime controls. Plan for dual-track execution Meet TPR requirements while simultaneously building toward full authorisation. Engage early with the FCA Establish open communication lines to reduce ambiguity and show proactivity. Plan for contingencies Prepare wind-down plans, customer messaging, and backup procedures in case of registration delays or rejections. Innovation and consumer protection can coexist The decision to exclude some legacy Consumer Credit Act requirements reflects the unique nature of BNPL: short-term, interest-free, and often accessed via digital channels. This creates space for a more relevant, user-centric approach to disclosures but it also raises the bar. Risk and compliance teams should work with product, legal, and design leads to ensure communications are: Integrated into real customer journeys Mobile-friendly and accessible Prompted by user behaviour Supported by outcome-based testing and complaints data Those who treat disclosures as a compliance task may struggle. Those who invest in relevance and usability will have stronger customer engagement and defensibility. Merchant carve-out and the risk of market distortion The decision to exclude merchant-led BNPL from the regulatory scope has sparked debate. Without oversight, merchant-offered credit could create competitive asymmetry and raise consumer protection concerns. Risk leaders should: Monitor merchant product developments and prepare for potential perimeter expansion Review all third-party merchant partnerships for regulatory dependencies Revisit financial promotions and credit broking arrangements, particularly where merchants promote BNPL products without broking permissions Regulatory costs and anticipated market impact The Treasury's impact assessment estimates: An Equivalent Annual Net Direct Cost to Business (EANDCB) of £2.3 million A Net Present Value of -£20.1 million over the assessment period over the assessment period Authorisation application fees: £5,000 to £25,000 Annual supervision fees: £10,000 to £50,000 Technology upgrades: £500,000 to £2 million per provider for systems supporting affordability, reporting, and complaints per provider for systems supporting affordability, reporting, and complaints Section 75 exposure: Estimated at 0.5% to 1.2% of transaction values With the UK's BNPL market valued at £20 billion annually, sector-wide exposure to Section 75 alone could exceed £100 million. Consolidation is expected. Government modelling suggests 20–30% of providers may exit the market post-regulation. But with global BNPL volumes growing rapidly, those who remain stand to benefit from a stronger, more trusted marketplace. How leading firms are responding Some providers have already started adjusting: Klarna Following regulatory scrutiny in Sweden, Klarna UK introduced income verification, real-time spend tracking, and risk-based onboarding. Monzo Flex Built affordability into product design from the outset, with integrated credit reporting and real-time tracking. PayPal Adopted a cross-functional compliance strategy with specialist teams, training, and documentation of governance processes. The clock is ticking and the gap between those who prepare and those who delay will widen fast. For risk leaders, this is a chance to go beyond baseline compliance, strengthening frameworks, improving customer outcomes, and shaping the future of BNPL in a regulated environment.