Sunderland striker Josh Maja could reportedly be heading to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux before the January transfer window closes.
Kevin Phillips has passionately urged Sunderland striker Josh Maja to stay at the club and become a ‘legend’, but warned if he leaves then the supporters ‘won’t forgive him’.
BBC Sport claims that the 20-year-old could be heading to Ligue 1 to join Bordeaux this month, with his contract at the Stadium of Light due to run out at the end of the season.
Former Premier League striker Phillips had his say on Maja’s potential departure as he explained the positives in him staying and the negatives in him potentially leaving.
“Very surprised [that he is leaving & could be heading to Bordeaux,” Phillips told the Debate show on Sky Sports on 23/01/2019. “First and foremost, he is a fantastic young player.
“If he was to stay at the club and [continue his goalscoring], one you become a Sunderland legend straightaway and two, you’d get the move in the summer – I can only assume that someone is in his ear, whether it be his agent or family.
“For him to move on now would diminish all that hard work he has done in the academy and up to this point so far. The supporters won’t forgive him for that.”
After suffering back-to-back relegations, Sunderland are now beginning to find their feet under a new regime and new manager in Jack Ross.
They are currently sitting third in League One, three points behind second-placed Luton and four points behind leaders Portsmouth, but they do have a game in hand on their rivals.
High-flying forward Maja has played a big part in that success, scoring 15 goals and supplying two assists from his 23 league matches.
It is highly likely that the Black Cats will, at the very least, secure a top-six finish this term, but Maja could potentially be the difference in them finishing in a playoff spot or gaining automatic promotion.
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