JOSH MAJA DECLINES NEW CONTRACT AND LINKED WITH CARDIFF

Sunderland striker Josh Maja has told the Black Cats he will not be signing their contract offer.

Fifteen-goal Maja had until today to give his answer to the club and we understand Maja met with them this lunchtime, despite telling boss Jack Ross yesterday he wanted to stay.

Huddersfield, Palace and Cardiff are all interested, with the player's contract is up in the summer.

He’s doing very well in League One, but it would be a gamble.

I remember Eoin Doyle scoring goals for fun in that league but wasn’t near Championship standard when he signed for us.

He’s doing very well in League One, but it would be a gamble.

I remember Eoin Doyle scoring goals for fun in that league but wasn’t near Championship standard when he signed for us.

Maja looks a prospect some even comparing him to Rashford, I think that's a little far fetched and it would be a gamble, I even think Healey could bang them in league 1.

Sunderland striker Josh Maja does U-turn and rejects contract offer
By Keith Downie and Lyall Thomas


Sunderland striker Josh Maja has told Sunderland he will not be signing their contract offer - despite the club offering him seven times his current wage to stay.

Maja, the League One club's leading scorer with 15 goals, had been given until Friday to respond to the club's offer.

Sky sources understand Maja told the club of his decision at a meeting on Friday lunchtime, despite telling boss Jack Ross on Thursday that he wanted to stay.

The decision came as a surprise to Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald who revealed on Twitter he only found out about Maja's change of heart following a phone call from a Sky Sports News reporter.

He tweeted: "Josh Maja update. Yesterday Josh asked to see Jack to say he will sign. Today I got a call from Sky TV saying he won't sign.

"Josh advised his agent has said don't sign but no courtesy to tell the club - Also we offered what the agent indicated!!! Busy January ahead."


Sky sources understand Huddersfield, Crystal Palace and Cardiff are all interested in signing Maja whose current contract expires in the summer.

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Has he actually been genuinely linked with us or are journalists just going through the usual list of premier league suspects who could do with a goal scoring centre forward, Palace Huddersield Burnley etc.

If we are looking for a young prolific striker at league on level maybe we should look at Ivan Toney at Peterborough as well. He is only 22 has scored 16 goals already this season mainly in recent games and including two recent hat tricks. He was always regarded as very promising but now at last seems to be fulfilling that promise. To be honest either might be better than the dodgy European who once played for one of Tan's clubs that we may end up with.

our striker shopping list has to be someone who can play in a 4-5-1.

We could be looking for the best in the world but playing as we do it has to be someone that wants to be there by himself as we don't play with 2

Happy with this. Looks raw but decent player

At only 20 years of age would be a good signing on a free but would only be good as a back up option atm.

Tottenham interested too.

Absolutely not good enough for the championship never mind trying to keep us up

Absolutely not good enough for the championship never mind trying to keep us up

Have you seen him play?

Absolutely not good enough for the championship never mind trying to keep us up

Have you seen him play?

Probably not; this iOS the guy who started a 'migrant' thread and declined to offer up his own opinion when asking others about theirs!

Perhaps he was looking for guidance?

As for Josh Maja? He seems to be getting some good plaudits at Sunderland and is being monitored by Spurs, could be a great one for the future, if not this particular season

Josh Maja - stats.
Notable 0 games in the Premiership
17 apearences in the Championship - 1 goal
22 appearances in League 1 - 14 goals.
I agree with Nathan Blake we have to go for quality to challenge in the Premiership,and have to be aware that we might have injuries between now and the end of the season,quality players have to come in,Bamba could get injured, Gunnerson, and obviously we need that ever important issue, we need another striker.

Sunderland striker Josh Maja, 20, linked with Tottenham, Manchester City and Southampton, has rejected the offer of a new contract with the Black Cats. (Talksport)

Crystal Palace now leading the chase. Daily Mail