Sunderland striker Josh Maja is reportedly on the radar of a number of Premier League sides, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
The Mirror reports that Maja’s deal expires in the summer and that he has Premier League and Championship admirers, with the Northern Echo recently reporting that Spurs, Everton, Manchester City and Southampton are all monitoring the 19-year-old.
Maja has been superb for the Black Cats this season, scoring 12 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions. But Ross seems to have hinted that he could be in favour of selling the striker in January if the alternative is that the uncertainty over his future continues right until the summer.
“In my experience, the longer these situations drag on, I don’t think there is any benefit to any of the parties involved.
“I haven’t heard anything new on it [the negotiations]. The talks have been ongoing, and I think they have been much slower than the club would have liked.”
It would be a surprise if Sunderland accepted anything short of a major offer next month. Ross’ men are well placed in the League One table and will be hoping that Maja can score the goals that get them across the line and back into the second tier.
But it is also understandable that Ross would be frustrated with the uncertainty. If Maja is leaving at some stage before the start of next season, then he needs to start making plans to replace him.
And that task will be a lot easier if they sell in January and get a decent fee for the teenager. But while there is a chance that he could stick around and extend his contract, Sunderland will be hoping that he decides to commit his future to the Black Cats.
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