Celtic’s move for Sunderland striker Josh Maja certainly won’t see him arrive this month.
That’s because he’s been reported as being valued at a laughable £4million, according to the Sun. Sunderland want double the £2million offered by Cardiff for the striker. This is despite the fact that Maja’s contract is up at the end of the season.
Maja has also rejected the offer of a new contract at the Stadium of Light. This leaves his commitment to Sunderland non-existent, therefore his valuation is more of a joke than anything.
But nobody can say this isn’t good news for a club like Celtic. The Hoops aren’t likely to make a move for Maja in January. They already have three forwards at the club already, and a fourth in Leigh Griffiths who’s out of action.
But a move for the young forward to come in on a pre-contract at the end of the season is viable. After scoring 16 goals already this term, the Black Cats forward certainly has plenty of admirers too.
Germany could be calling for Maja
The likes of Wolfsburg, Stuttgart, and Cologne are also monitoring him from Germany. Any move on a pre-contract bid would surely be rivaled by a few clubs.
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Ironically, Sunderland are apparently willing to cash in on him in the summer. Knowing that he could leave for a small compensation fee, they would rather do a deal now. But they’re asking for a lot of money if they truly believe they can get £4m.
Of course, the money bubble down south has a ripple effect down the leagues. It could still easily be the case that a club in England make that move, as £4m doesn’t hold the same value down south as it does at Parkhead.
Maja wants to finish the season with Sunderland. That could mean if a club reach that £4m valuation, Maja could be loaned back until the end of the season.
One thing’s for sure, Celtic won’t be one of the clubs making that offer for Maja. The club are too business-savvy for that, and would simply turn to other targets if a club met that valuation.
And they would certainly be right to do so.