Sunderland reportedly plan to persuade Everton-linked Josh Maja by using Swansea City’s Joel Asoro as an example.
Josh Maja is one of the best young players in League One, and there is no surprise that Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton are among the clubs reportedly interested in the Sunderland forward.
Linked-away
According to The Northern Echo, Everton, Tottenham, Southampton, Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Millwall all are looking at Sunderland forward Maja.
With the 19-year-old forward out of contract at Sunderland at the end of the season, the likes of the Toffees, Spurs and the Citizens will fancy their chances of prising the teenager away from the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland’s plan
Sunderland, though, are determined to keep hold of Maja – who has scored 11 goals in 16 League 1 appearances for the Black Cats so far this season, according to WhoScored – and have reportedly hatched a plan to do just that.
According to The Northern Echo, Sunderland officials have used Joel Asoro as an example to persuade Maja to commit his long-term future to the Black Cats.
Asoro joined Championship club Swansea City from League One outfit Sunderland in the summer of 2018 for a transfer fee reported by Sky Sports to be worth £2 million.
The 19-year-old Swedish striker has not made a start in the Championship for the Swans since the end of August and has played just 357 minutes in the league so far this season, according to WhoScored.
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