Steven Gerrard’s Rangers may need to sign a new striker very soon.
Sunderland striker Josh Maja is reportedly closing in on a £3.5million move to French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux after reports emerged on Wednesday afternoon – and Rangers may see such a move as a blow.
L’Equipe claim that 20-year-old Maja is to move to France despite British interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and other Premier League and Championship clubs.
It was reported by the Sunday People (January 20, page 49) that both Old Firm sides were interested in Maja, who has scored 16 goals in just 30 league and cup appearances this season.
Interest in Maja has spiked this month after he entered the final six months of his contract at the Stadium of Light. Non-English clubs could not sign him on a free, but Celtic and Rangers could.
However, Maja has chosen to leave Sunderland as soon as possible after Bordeaux agreed a £3.5million fee with the Black Cats this month – meaning Maja will not return to Wearside on loan.
Maja would have been an excellent signing for either Celtic or Rangers, but missing out on the youngster could come back to haunt Steven Gerrard’s side as OGC Nice continue in their pursuit of Alfredo Morelos.
It is believed that Nice have had an £8million bid rejected for the Colombia international, as Patrick Vieira looks to replace Mario Balotelli who has finally been confirmed as Olympique de Marseille striker.
Rangers want closer to £16million, and if Nice do match that value and sign top scorer Morelos, missing out on Maja will come as a huge blow to Rangers given that he has joined Bordeaux for such a bargain figure.
His goalscoring form mirrors that of Moussa Dembele at Fulham where he impressed before joining Celtic and went on to earn a £20million move to Lyon. Perhaps Rangers have missed a trick, and certainly will do if Morelos goes.
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