Celta Vigo ready to make £16m offer for West Brom striker Josh Maja in January
Celta Vigo are preparing a £16million offer for West Brom striker Josh Maja ahead of the January transfer window, Super Deporte reports.
According to the Spanish news outlet’s website [19 November], the LaLiga side view Maja as the perfect replacement for former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas.
The 25-year-old has been enjoying a stellar season at The Hawthorns and is the club’s top scorer in the Championship with nine goals in 15 outings.
The Baggies are said to have set a £16m price tag on the forward, which Celta Vigo are willing to match.
West Brom cannot afford to lose Josh Maja in January
Carlos Corberan’s side returned to winning ways in the Championship with the 2-1 victory against Hull City before the international break after an eight-match winless run.
While Maja’s goals did indeed dry up across that run, he did score what proved to be the winner at the MKM Stadium and opened the scoring two games prior in the 1-1 draw against Luton Town.
However, the Nigerian is not solely to blame for the surprise downturn in form at The Hawthorns, and Corberan should not, by any means, entertain the awaited offer from Celta Vigo.
West Brom have made a habit of grinding out 0-0 draws in the Championship and, with the lack of a regular goalscorer in the side barring Maja, it would be self-destructive to sanction such a move, especially since the club is on track to finish in the play-off spots this term.
Furthermore, Daryl Dike has suffered another setback in his rehabilitation from a nine-month injury layoff and is unlikely to return to the pitch until after the New Year.
Maja’s confidence is returning at the perfect time for West Brom, and he is poised to continue his goalscoring exploits after the international break with a home clash against mid-table strugglers Norwich City next up.
The £16m fee suggested would be a significant coup for the Baggies, but the risk outweighs the reward.
Should the LaLiga side continue their interest into the summer, then perhaps the club would be more inclined to discuss Maja’s potential exit.
In other West Brom news, Keith Hackett reacts to footage of Albion ace Jayson Molumby against England.
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