West Brom to conduct ‘unbelievable business’ amid Josh Maja exit links
Carlton Palmer has claimed it would be “unbelievable business” if West Brom were to receive £17million for Josh Maja in January.
Maja has been one constant positive at the Hawthorns this season and is a huge reason why the Baggies find themselves inside the top six despite an eight-game winless run.
Celta Vigo had been linked with a move with for the striker (Super Deporte) in a deal worth a reported £17m.
With nine goals and one assist, his contributions in the final third have proven crucial to the Baggies’ season so far but Palmer has tipped his former club to accept an offer in January if that sort of money is offered.
Speaking to Football League World (21 November) he said: “West Brom going along nicely in the Championship, their player Josh Maja, who is having a fantastic season so far, [has] interest from Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad. Both looking for £17million.
“West Brom signed him on a free transfer, so this would be unbelievable business for the football club, to get that type of money for him.
“I think it’s a fee that they wouldn’t be able to turn down.”
West Brom shouldn’t consider Josh Maja sale
While the cash involved could be tempting, West Brom still have a strong chance of promotion and, if Maja is sold, those chances are severely diminished. Even if £17m were received for his sale, the financial benefits of promotion would significantly outweigh that sum.
If the Baggies are to achieve that, they simply have to keep him at the club.
There may be a point where, like Palmer mentioned, they can’t turn it down but £17m is not anywhere near the figure required for that to be the case.
Especially in January, player signings and sales are inflated and the club would find it a near impossible task to replace his impact in the team with someone capable of hitting the ground running.
Of course, all of this would have to be done for cheaper than the fee received for Maja.
Corberan’s side will undoubtedly be active in the January window although it is hard to see the club sanctioning exits for any of their star players.
In other West Brom news, Roy Keane has been wowed by a player the Baggies sold for just £1m.
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