Josh Maja could leave Sunderland this month after rejecting the offer of a new contract, with the 20-year-old striker wanted by a host of Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace, Huddersfield and Manchester City.
Maja, who has scored 14 goals in League One this season from 23 appearances, is out of contract in the summer but is understood to have told Sunderland he is unwilling to sign a new long-term deal worth significantly more than his current salary. That has alerted the likes of Palace and Huddersfield, who are both desperate to recruit attacking options this month, while it is understood that clubs in Germany are also interested given that Maja is now free to agree personal terms with overseas clubs. City, where he spent time as a youth player, have asked to be kept informed over his situation.
The Sunderland owner, Stewart Donald, issued a statement on Friday claiming the striker had performed a dramatic U-turn having previously agreed to sign his deal.
He wrote: “Yesterday Josh asked to see [manager] Jack [Ross] 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.”
@SunderlandAFC 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
— stewart donald (@stewartdonald3) January 4, 2019
Maja began his career with Fulham before moving to Sunderland in 2015 after he was not offered a scholarship by City. He signed a three-year deal in 2016 but has emerged as a key member of Ross’s side as they bid to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
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