Former Sunderland striker Josh Maja has revealed he hopes to eventually join either Arsenal or Barcelona.
Maja, 20, was coveted by the likes of Tottenham and West Ham before departing Wearside for southwest France in January but it appears the Lewisham-born forward, who came through the academies of Crystal Palace and Fulham, would prefer to don the colours of their north London rivals.
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.
"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 has made five appearances in Ligue 1 since departing Sunderland for an initial £1.5million and is yet to find the net for his new club. However the young striker is highly regarded and scored 15 goals in 24 games for the Black Cats in League One this season.
The youngster is not the first England prospect to try his hand abroad, with Jadon Sancho emerging as a star for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal's own Reiss Nelson thriving early in his loan spell in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
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"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."
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