EFL Championship transfer: Why West Brom may regret letting Josh Maja leave

Super Eagles striker Josh Maja is at a crossroads with West Bromwich Albion, and could become a free agent in the coming weeks, Afrik Foot reports.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of June, with the club having offered him fresh terms but still awaiting a final decision.

The Baggies are caught in two minds, considering he had an underwhelming campaign, but letting him go could backfire.

After surviving relegation under new boss James Morrison, West Brom are looking to rebuild. And in that rebuild, Maja’s profile may prove more valuable than his ability to find the back of the net.

Josh Maja. Copyright: xMIxNewsxIMAGO

Andy Johnson reveals why West Brom must keep Maja

Johnson played over 140 games for West Brom and has offered the clearest case for why Maja should stay.

“Would I like Josh to stay? Of course I would,” the 52-year-old told the Express and Star.

“He links up the play better than anyone at the football club, between the midfield and the strikers. His touch nine times out of ten is sensational; he can flip balls in behind.

“He really does spot it. If he gets a partnership with a winger who stands the ball up for him, he can attack it, and he’ll get goals.”

Super Eagles striker Josh Maja. Copyright: IMAGO/AidanxHunter

Why West Brom’s decision could age badly

On paper, four goals in 40 league games is a poor return. Adding to that is that Maja has spent a large part of his time with the Albions injured, struggling under managerial instability, and playing in one of the league’s most profligate attacks.

Yet when Morrison arrived in January, there was a slight improvement: three of his four goals came under the new manager as West Brom went on a 10-game unbeaten run to avoid relegation.

The late-season improvement was not accidental. Morrison’s direct 4-4-2 reduced Maja’s isolation and gave him more runners around him.

For a striker whose best attribute is combination play, that tactical tweak was crucial, as it helped him offer more than just goals.

Nigeria and West Brom forward Josh Maja. Photo by IMAGO

However, having already released Daryl Dike and still in talks over Karlan Grant, allowing Maja to walk for free would mean West Brom have no proven Championship-level forwards in their squad ahead of next season.

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Adefolahan Guerreiro

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Adefulu Adefolahan Guerreiro is a sports writer covering Nigeria, with seven years in sports media and a Reuters Digital Journalism certification. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he takes a stats-led approach to football odds and analysis, with work published on Correctscore Today, PureFootball UK and Royalsportz.