Everton have hijacked Ipswich's move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja and completed a late move for the Albanian.
Newly-promoted Ipswich had been going back-and-forth with the Blues throughout the summer, with a deal for Broja looking set to be completed before hitting a snag.
As reported by Mail Sport earlier this week, Broja was poised to move to Portman Road on a season-long loan with a £30million obligation to buy should Ipswich avoid relegation from the Premier League.
However, Everton took the lead for Broja's signature by submitting a loan offer with a £30m option to buy and closed the deal shortly before 1am on Saturday morning.
Ipswich dropped out of the running for Broja as they refused to accept Chelsea's revised loan terms for the 22-year-old striker who is currently out injured.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche is tasked with stopping the rot after just two games with Everton bottom of the Premier League table
An issue in the medical being conducted by Ipswich raised concerns over Broja's achillies while he continues to go through rehabilitation on a foot injury suffered in pre-season.
Broja is part of the Chelsea 'bomb squad' alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell who have been banished from Enzo Maresca's first-team after failing to impress the new boss.
However, Everton were keen to try and get Broja through the door at Goodison Park before the deadline as they attempted to reinforce their attack following a dismal start to the Premier League.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche is tasked with stopping the rot after just two games with Everton bottom of the Premier League table after being comfortably beaten by both Tottenham and Bournemouth.
Broja has scored two goals in 26 top-flight appearances for Chelsea, plus six in 32 for Southampton, where he spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan.
The Albania international was loaned out to Fulham last season but he failed to score in eight Premier League outings for the Cottagers.
His career to date has been blighted by injury issues. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in December 2022 and was subsequently sidelined for nine months.