Southampton are reportedly keen on Sunderland youngster Josh Maja.
Josh Maja has perhaps been the biggest success story of Sunderland’s season.
The teenage striker has been a revelation in recent months, scoring nine times in 12 League One starts, emerging as the poster boy for the Black Cats’ promotion bid.
Unfortunately for Jack Ross, Maja is out of contract at the end of the campaign and, according to the Mirror, the 19-year-old is now attracting Premier League interest.
A Tottenham side always on the lookout for young talent is allegedly keen and so are Manchester City, who Maja played for at youth level before he moved north to Wearside in 2015. But Southampton – who the Mirror has also credited with an interest – are perhaps the most sensible destination.
After all, while City boast Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, Harry Kane starts almost every game for Spurs, with Lucas Moura having been transformed into a centre forward of late.
Southampton, however, are in need of a powerful and prolific target man like Maja, with too much pressure on Danny Ings to provide quality in the final third. The Saints have scored just six goals in eight games so far this season.
When making a decision about his future, Maja should be aware that so many players have risen through the ranks at St Mary’s to become established Premier League and international players.
Southampton, meanwhile, would perhaps offer a quicker route into first-team, top flight football than City or Tottenham could provide.
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