Ligue 1 side Bordeaux have agreed a deal with Sunderland for striker Josh Maja, as reported by The72 earlier today.
The 20-year-old has been the subject of fierce interest from clubs higher up in England, Scotland and in Germany, but he is now set for a switch to France.
Maja has been in prolific form for Sunderland in League One this season and has scored 15 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.
He made his league debut for the Black Cats last season and came off the bench to score again Fulham. That was his only goal of the last campaign but he has established himself as a key player for the North-East side this season and has adapted well to the third tier.
Sunderland have resigned to losing him this month and will now be looking for potential replacements. They have been linked with Wigan Athletic’s Will Grigg as well as Reading’s Marc McNulty over recent weeks.
The North-East side will be disappointed to see Maja leave but will no doubt wish him luck for his venture in France.
Here is how the Sunderland fans have reacted on Twitter to Bordeaux agreeing a deal for him today-
I’ve got no problem with maja wanting to leave. He’s contributed massively this season and it’s a shame to see him leave but it’s much better than losing him for nothing. £3.5m is a great price. Need a replacement ASAP #safc Best of luck @joshmaja 🔴⚪️
— Eric Hyun (@Erichyun0775) January 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/WaiChingNg/status/1088100406528479233
I feel the whole Maja situation has affected #safc, the last few results have shown that! If Maja doesn’t want to be on the bus then I am happy for him to get off and we get someone else in who wants to be here! There will be 101 players who’d love to opportunity he’s been given
— Michael John Roper (@mickroper81) January 23, 2019
Best deal for Maja agent. Club have done ok considering time on contract. Maja the one that this could benefit least! Let's see. No player bigger than any club anyway. Let's get some lads in quick! #safc #maja
— B Chaters (@bazza1804) January 23, 2019
Maja is one of those where I’d have been happy if he stayed but not upset if he left, there’s better out there, we have to get this right in the next 7 days tho #safc
— kyle 🤐 (@kylesafc_73) January 23, 2019
I’ve maintained all season that we’ll get top two but if we don’t replace Maja (but I think & hope we will) then I’d settle for playoffs. Real shame as I shouldn’t really be saying that though.
Suffice to say a critical week or so left in the January window! #SAFC
— Michael Bowers (@MichaelBowers15) January 23, 2019
If the fee really is £3.5m for Josh Maja then that's a good bit of business for #SAFC
He's absolutely nowhere near good enough yet for top flight football in France. Be interesting to see where he ends up on loan at to get football.— donkeyvolley (@OscarBrownsword) January 23, 2019