Has Jack Ross suggested Sunderland could sell reported Newcastle targets Asoro and Maja?

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Newcastle United reportedly want Sunderland duo Joel Asoro and Josh Maja.

Joel Asoro is a player in demand, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs linked with the Sunderland winger.

According to The Daily Star (print edition, page 49, May 13, 2018), Premier League duo Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham are interested in signing Asoro from Sunderland in the summer transfer window (click here to read more).

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The Daily Mail has credited Newcastle with interest in the 19-year-old winger, with the same publication claiming that the Magpies want 19-year-old Sunderland forward Josh Maja as well.

According to The Northern Echo, both Asoro and Maja have entered the final 12 months of their contracts, and Sunderland manager Jack Ross has suggested that the Black Cats, who will play in League One next season after getting relegated from the Championship, could be forced to sell them this summer if they do not sign new deals – potential allowing Newcastle – as wells Wolves and Tottenham – to make a move.

Ross told The Northern Echo about Asoro and Maja: “I think they’re at stages of their career where they have to (think about) what might be best for them in the short term.

“Is it best to play regularly and have a good, positive season, or is it best to move on to a higher level and maybe not play first-team football? I can’t answer that, only they can.

“They certainly don’t seem unhappy to be here. We have to foster that, but then of course the contractual situation changes if a player doesn’t want to sign. They’re of a certain age, so then the club has a decision to make.”

Should Newcastle United make move?

Both Asoro and Maja are very young players, but the Sunderland duo are talented and promising, and it would make sense for Newcastle to make a move for the duo in the summer transfer window.

While the 19-year-old winger and the 19-year-old forward may not be ready to feature in Rafael Benitez’s first team rightaway, they could develop into superb footballers in the coming years.