Watford explore deal to sign Josh Maja as West Brom limbo continues

Josh Maja looks set to join the ever-growing list of players leaving West Bromwich Albion this summer.

Albion are yet to announce whether or not the 27-year-old striker will be leaving The Hawthorns after his contract expired at the end of last season.

In mid-May, the Baggies confirmed they were in talks over getting the one-time Nigeria international tied down to a new deal.

However, the months have rolled on and former Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop reported earlier in July that talks over a new deal had broken down.

Karlan Grant and Daryl Dike have since moved on, with the former joining Charlton Athletic and the latter returning to Orlando City in the MLS.

But there's been a major lack of clarity surrounding Maja's future - until now.

Watford learn wage demands for Josh Maja deal

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has reported that Watford are in the hunt to sign Maja.

Watford finished 16th in the Championship last season and sacked Ed Still back in May after just three months in charge.

Joseph claims that Still's exit prompted a re-think from the Vicarage Road board, who want to now add a more British feel to the squad, despite hiring Italian Alessio Dionisi as Still's successor.

And the Hornets are looking at London-born Maja to play a part in that new strategy - but a deal doesn't seem too likely.

"Originally, what I was being told at the end of the season when Ed Still left, that they were going to be looking to rebuild with a more British identity to the squad," Joseph told TheWatfordWay on YouTube on Monday.

They have tried that; they explored deals for Billy Mitchell, Adam Webster, Josh Maja and Solly March. But their wages are just too high."

Where could Maja wind up, if not Watford?

There's still a chance that Maja signs for Watford this summer, despite their concerns about his wage demands.

As the summer rolls on, the ex-Sunderland striker could grow more desperate to stay in the Championship and if Watford set their sights on another centre-forward, it'll lessen his chances of doing that.

West Brom News covered claims in May that Old Firm clubs Celtic and Rangers had shown an interest in taking Maja to Scotland.

However, little has come of those links.