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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Robert O'Connor

Arsenal target reveals dream to swap Ligue 1 for the Premier League

Arsenal target Josh Maja has asserted his desire to swap Bordeaux for one of Europe's top clubs, and says that either Barcelona or the Gunners would be his top choice.

The 20 year-old Lewisham-born striker left League One Sunderland to join the Ligue 1 side in January and has impressed during his brief time in the south of France.

Maja featured 41 times for the Black Cats between 2016 and 2019 before opting to continue his career abroad, despite purported Premier League interest from Tottenham and West Ham .

He told France Football : "I support Barcelona and Arsenal , because they’re my local team. Of course, I’d really like to play in the team with which I grew up.

"It would be great. It’s clear the Premier League is one of the best in the world, with the best teams.

Maja left Sunderland for Bordeaux in January (Getty Images)

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"I hope to play there one day, but for now I’m with Bordeaux, I want to succeed here and we’ll see about the rest later."

Maja is the latest in a succession of young English players to ply his trade abroad, with England forward Jadon Sancho emerging as a star for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal's own Reiss Nelson performing admirably during his loan spell in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.

"I have always wanted to play abroad," Maja said. "They [Sancho and Nelson] are beautiful examples, it shows that if you are brave enough to take the step, to discover a new language, a culture, a way of life, then it can pay.

"They show all their qualities and the progress they make is admirable."

Maja is yet to open his scoring account for Bordeaux (Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

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The 20 year-old made his debut for his new side back in January having signed a four-and-a-half year deal, and has gone on to make four appearances in the first team in Ligue 1.

He is yet to add to the 16 goals he netted for Sunderland in League One before upping sticks and heading for France.

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