Josh Maja: Valencia linked with move for West Brom and Nigeria striker

Josh Maja, the Nigeria and England-qualified centre-forward currently at West Bromwich Albion, has been linked with a move to LaLiga side Valencia as the Spanish club explore options to strengthen their attack. The 27-year-old, who wears the number 9 shirt at The Hawthorns, is understood to be on the radar of the Mestalla hierarchy as they assess forwards available around the €4.5m mark.

Maja joined West Brom on a free transfer from Bordeaux on 1 August 2023 and has since added further Championship experience to a career that has already taken in English, French and European competition. He has made 110 Championship appearances in total, scoring 19 goals and providing six assists, and has also featured in the Premier League and Ligue 1, as well as domestic cups in both England and France.

Born in London in December 1998 and standing at 1.81m, Maja’s career has included permanent and loan spells at Bordeaux, Fulham and Stoke City after emerging from the Sunderland system. His most prolific spell came in League One, where he scored 15 goals in 24 appearances, a return that helped secure his move to France in 2019 for €1.5m.

Valencia’s interest comes with Maja’s current market value standing at around €4.5m, having previously peaked at €10m during his time in France. While there is no indication yet of formal negotiations, West Brom face the prospect of a decision over a forward whose contract length has not been publicly disclosed since his arrival last summer.